2020 Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 43-46
We performed unilateral MRI–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy for 10 medication–refractory essential tremor patients (8 men and 2 women, aged 67.1 ± 17.5 years, right–handed), and evaluated the efficacy and adverse events during a 12–month follow–up. Right–handed tremor improved immediately after left ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) thalamotomy in all patients. Tremor re–exacerbated in 2 patients after 3 and 6 months, respectively ; however, the average score of the clinical rating scale for tremor maintained an about 60% decline from the baseline at 12 months. On the other hand, the average global impression score of the quality of life in essential tremor questionnaire showed no improvement. Most of the adverse events were mild and transient, however, sensory impairment in 2 patients persisted up to 3 months later. There were no delayed complications related to MRgFUS thalamotomy from 6 to 12 months after the procedure. Unilateral MRgFUS Vim thalamotomy could be adopted as one of the therapeutic options for intractable essential tremor.
