Essential Tremor and High Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Hi Lisa, good afternoon. I appreciate all the information. Yes, I am still evaluating which procedure to do. HIFU or DBS. Where I live, in Brazil, HIFU is a recent alternative. DBS is better known. Thank you very much for the important information.

Good afternoon Joe. Your information was very helpful. I'm still considering whether to do HIFU or DBS. DBS is more invasive from what I've researched. HIFU, although less invasive, seems to have more risk. Because it can cause irreversible damage, as you mentioned, just by a few millimeters. Another factor is whether my symptoms will actually improve with HIFU. I'm evaluating all of this with my neurologist. Thank you very much for your feedback.

Hi, @rica - here is some Mayo Clinic information that may be useful on essential tremor. You'll want to look in the section on Essential Tremor Diagnosis & Treatment>Nerve Stimulation Devices>Focused ultrasound thalamotomy. You may know that focused ultrasound thalamotomy is a specific application of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

- Essential tremor https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350539

rica, have you had any further thoughts about this treatment for yourself in the past few days?

Rica, I saw your question on High Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) which I have begun to investigate at the University of Pennsylvania in the US. I believe this is also referred to as guided ultrasound. The issue is this treatment is permanent. Once the focused area of the brain is destroyed (unilateral strategic injury) it cannot be reversed so the physicians need to be certain of the targeted area and be certain this treatment will improve your symptoms. My wife instead had Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery five years ago which is a more invasive procedure (brain surgery) but can be moderated once completed to fine tune the targeted area for improved results. She has improved significantly and consistently for the past five years.

Hope this helps, Joe

This is the first I’ve heard of a positive test for PD. What is a Dat Scan

I have both too. Have you had anything done about either one besides medication’s?

I have symptoms of both conditions. The DAT scan was conclusive to prove that I have Parkinson’s. Take care of yourself, God bless you!

My neurologist is recommending it because I have both Parkinson’s and essential tremors. I am hoping to go to a Mayo Clinic for treatment but the wait is long. So I will wait. It is supposed to be very good for essential tremor.

That's what my neurologist told me. I have symptoms of both conditions.

As far as I know, the definitive test for PD is a dat-Scan, but it is possible to have BOTH conditions as I do. Lucky you.