MRI‐guided laser interstitial thermal thalamotomy for medically intractable tremor disorders. Issue 1 (19th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Meghan; Steele, John; Williams, Rebecca; Pinkston, Jim; Zweig, Richard; Wilden, Jessica Anne
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders. Volume 34:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2018-11-19
• Subjects: deep brain stimulation -- laser interstitial thermal therapy -- thalamotomy -- tremor -- Visualase; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.27545
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3185

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Medically intractable tremors are a common, difficult clinical situation. Deep brain stimulation decreases Parkinson's disease resting tremor and essential tremor, but not all patients are candidates from a diagnostic, medical, or social standpoint, prompting the need for alternative surgical strategies. Methods: We describe 13 patients with medically intractable tremor treated with laser interstitial thermal thalamotomy performed under general anesthesia using live MRI‐guidance and the Clearpoint stereotactic system. Results: All patients had a dramatic decrease in tremor immediately postoperatively, which has been sustained through follow‐up (3‐17 months) in all but 1 patient (mean tremor score reduction of 62%; 10.33 ± 2.69 to 3.89 ± 3.1). Objective side effects were transient and included imbalance and paresthesia. Conclusion: Medically intractable tremor treated with laser interstitial thermal thalamotomy may be a useful addition to the treatment armamentarium for medically intractable tremor disorders. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society