Magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focal ultrasound for the treatment of essential tremor

Abstract

Introduction. Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, it is characterized by being a bilateral, rhythmic and involuntary action tremor, beginning in the hands and extending to the head, at the beginning it can be mild, but over time it is observed a compromise in the quality of life of the patient, its diagnosis is based mainly on the clinic. There are various pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, among the latter, high-intensity focal ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance since it is currently used in patients with severe tremor or who do not respond to pharmacological therapy. This consists of applying multiple ultrasonic beams in the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus, with the aim of tremor suppression. Objective. use of high intensity focal ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance for the treatment of essential tremor. Methodology. Narrative literature review on magnetic resonance-guided-high-intensity focal ultrasound for the treatment of essential tremor, by searching the main sources and biomedical databases in English and Spanish: PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct. Results. The decrease in hand tremor after treatment with high-intensity focal ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance obtained positive results, presenting values greater than 40% effectiveness during the first three to twelve months, lasting these values over time up to two years, reaching a good therapeutic effect in essential tremor. Conclusion. High-intensity focal ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance is a minimally invasive therapeutic alternative that reduces essential tremor symptoms by a significant percentage.