FOCUSED ULTRASOUND
Essential tremor is a common movement disorder. It can affect almost any part of the body, but the trembling occurs most often in the hands as a person attempts a voluntary movement such as raising a spoon to the mouth.
UNDERSTANDING FOCUSED ULTRASOUND
Focused ultrasound is a non-surgical treatment for essential tremor patients who have not responded to medication. Commonly performed while the patient is awake, focused ultrasound uses sound waves guided by an MRI to treat deep in the brain with no incisions or permanent implants. These high intensity sound waves precisely target the small area of the brain responsible for regulating movement and use heat to destroy the targeted tissue without damaging the surrounding tissue.
BENEFITS OF FOCUSED ULTRASOUND TREATMENT
Focused ultrasound targets the same area of the brain as deep brain stimulation (DBS) without requiring incisions or general anesthesia.
The treatment offers additional benefits including:
- Non-invasive treatment that results in almost immediate and significant reduction in tremors
- Performed as an outpatient procedure with a short recovery time allowing patients to resume daily activities within days
- Reduced risk of infection and side effects
CONTACT US
Getting the best possible treatment for essential tremor starts with an experienced team and accurate diagnosis. Specializing in diagnosing and treating essential tremor, our team treats a high volume of patients with movement disorders every year and can treat patients with the most complex conditions.
For a referral to a Washington University neurologist or neurosurgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call 855.925.0631