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Essential Tremor is the most common type of movement disorder that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking of the hands, head, arms, legs or voice. Shaking can occur with simple tasks such as writing, drinking from a glass, or tying shoelaces. Essential tremor usually runs in families.
Focused Ultrasound is an incisionless brain surgery using MRI and ultrasound to make a very small lesion in the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus, the area of the brain responsible for the tremor.
Focused ultrasound is an incisionless procedure approved by the FDA for the treatment of essential tremor. The treatment uses high-frequency, high-energy sound waves to target and destroy a very small area of tissue deep within the thalamus, an area of the brain responsible for the tremor. This procedure is discussed with patients that have tried and failed medications due to side effects or ineffectiveness of the medication, and are not a candidate for deep brain stimulation. The procedure can only be done unilaterally, or on one side, typically on the dominant side or the side with the more prominent tremor. Patients also must complete a preoperative head CT scan to determine if skull density is sufficient to support sound transmission.
Interested patients will have the opportunity to have a virtual meet and greet with the physicians before scheduling the procedure. This procedure is performed at CHI Health St. Mary's. For more news on this procedure, please click here.
For more information call: (402) 873-9639 or 1 (800) 265-7430. Fax: (402) 873-6856
Before you come to CHI Health St. Mary’s, a provider will evaluate you for suitability for Focused Ultrasound and answer any questions you may have.
CHI Health Neurological Institute at CHI Health Immanuel offers true patient-centric care to a destination clinic. Destination clinic visits for the Focused Ultrasound Program work like this:
Someone will call you prior to your procedure day to go over your medications and instructions. You will also receive an instruction packet in the mail. There are certain medications that will need to be stopped prior to your procedure, such as blood thinners and tremor medications.
Once you arrive at CHI Health St. Mary’s, you will be taken to your room after checking in. This is where you will be prepped for the procedure and your head will be shaved. Medications will be given through an IV to prevent nausea. A metal frame will be placed on your head to keep it steady during the procedure. You will lie down in an MRI machine for 2-3 hours. During the procedure, there will be constant communication between you and your surgeon. The surgeon will talk to you and have you move your hand to evaluate the tremor as he or she adjusts the settings on the machine. After the procedure, your tremor should be controlled in that hand.
After your procedure, you will need to follow up with your surgeon the next day. If you were instructed to stop your blood thinning medications, you will need to restart them a certain number of days after your procedure. You will be given discharge instructions after your procedure with directions on when it is safe to restart these medications.
You may experience some common side effects such as difficulty with walking or sleeping. These side effects typically resolve within 6-8 weeks after your procedure, but you may be at increased risk of falling. Please be cautious when walking, and it is best not to drive for at least two weeks. Numbness in your hand, face, or tongue on the treated side may occur. There is no guarantee this will resolve.
Severe side effects are rare. If severe side effects occur, please call your surgeon and report to the nearest Emergency Room or call 911. These may include:
