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The life-changing power of incisionless focused ultrasound
The Sentara Comprehensive Movement Disorders Program provides results to improve the lives of people living with movement disorders. Our focused ultrasound treatment may be an option for patients with essential tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease. Using advanced technology, neurosurgeons can treat deep in the brain with no surgical incisions. Sound waves pass safely through a patient's skull to heat and precisely ablate (destroy) the target cells in the thalamus responsible for the tremor.
See the technology at work: Watch the before and after MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound
Expertise
Our comprehensive team offers a full evaluation for patients with essential tremor. Functional neurosurgeon Dr. Shannon Clark and her team will do a thorough individualized evaluation to optimize treatment outcomes. There is no radiation, no anesthesia, no implanted devices, and no overnight hospital stay with focused ultrasound (FUS) treatment. Many insurance providers cover focused ultrasound treatment, including Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna. The focused ultrasound procedure is currently only offered at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Under the professional care of Sentara's vascular and MRI team, each patient has a host of care providers specially trained to ensure a safe MRI-guided procedure.
Many insurance providers cover focused ultrasound treatment, including Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and Cigna. Focused ultrasound is currently only offered at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Under the professional care of Sentara's vascular and MRI team, each patient has a host of care providers specially trained to ensure a safe MRI-guided procedure.
This procedure is FDA approved and it is safe and effective with minimal side effects.
How do I find out if I'm eligible for the hand tremor treatment?
Patients must undergo a CT scan to determine if they are candidates for MRI - guided focused ultrasound treatment. The patient will often meet with the treating physician at least twice. At the first consultation, the physician will evaluate the CT scans to determine whether the patient is a candidate for the treatment.
Be sure to discuss all medical conditions with your physician to properly evaluate whether you are suitable for the procedure.
What happens on the day of the focus ultrasound treatment?
Patients will have their head shaved at the hospital on the day of the procedure.
This is necessary for two reasons:
- Ultrasound waves do not travel well through the air. In this treatment, water is used (like a gel used when having an abdominal ultrasound) as a conductive medium. The smooth-shaven scalp and a silicone cap enable a tight interface with the ultrasound transducer.
- Air bubbles could get trapped in the hair, blocking the ultrasound waves and absorbing energy, potentially leading to skin burns. During the procedure, the patient will have a stereotactic head frame attached to the skull. This is to help ensure the patient's head does not move during the treatment.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
The procedure is performed in the MRI scanner, and the patient is awake. Feedback from the patient during the treatment is necessary to assess the patient's ability to complete different neurological tasks, such as drawing spirals. This allows the physician to evaluate the improvement of the tremor and identify and address any potential side effects.
The treatment time is, on average, 2.5 hours, and it is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
How soon will I notice an improvement in tremors after the focused ultrasound procedure?
In clinical studies, patients reported an immediate improvement in tremor, which was mostly maintained at three years. Because the procedure is incisionless, recovery is quick with minimal risk of infection. You can expect to resume normal activities within days.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Be sure to discuss with your physician all the risks involved with the focused ultrasound treatment.
Day of Treatment up to three months post-treatment
- The most common potential risks associated with the treatment device (Exablate) and thalamotomy procedure are transient numbness and tingling. These sensations are typically mild to moderate in intensity and can last as briefly as the length of the sonication or up to several days.
- Headaches or head pain and nausea/vomiting may occur during sonication. Imbalance, unsteadiness, and bruising in the area of the IV catheter are also potential risks but usually end within a week after treatment.
Longer than three months post-treatment
- Infrequent complications that have been reported following treatment include long-term numbness and tingling.
- If you experience a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis after the procedure - seek emergency care.
To schedule a consult with a neurologist, call 1-877-310-8713. If you have a current ET or PD diagnosis and want to schedule a focused ultrasound consult, call 757-252-9128 or email FUSprogram@sentara.com.