Premier Health Brings Incision-Free Brain Surgery for Tremor to Region

Miami Valley Hospital has introduced to Southwest Ohio an incision-free brain surgery treatment that significantly reduces tremors of the hands in some people.

The surgery, known as MR-guided focused ultrasound, can benefit patients with either essential tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Essential tremor, a progressive neurological disorder, is characterized by an involuntary and rhythmic shaking of the head, voice, legs, arms, and hands, where it occurs most commonly. The condition has no known cause or cure.

MR-guided focused ultrasound is a technology from INSIGHTEC used for therapeutic purposes. The treatment uses focused sound waves guided by MRI to treat tremor, deep in the brain, with no incisions or permanent implants. It is a single procedure often performed on an outpatient basis with quick recovery and minimal side effects. Many patients experience immediate results, with the potential for reduction or elimination of tremors.

Miami Valley Hospital is 1 of 8 centers in the United States offering Tremor Program Services, partnering with INSIGHTEC to provide patient education and assistance in accessing tremor relief. Currently, Miami Valley Hospital has treated patients from across the country and could potentially treat international patients.

Interested persons can find out if they might be a candidate for incision-free surgery for tremor by calling (800) 596-5936(800) 596-5936 or emailing miamivalleytremor@insightec.com. Qualified candidates will be referred to a Premier Health neurologist for in-person evaluation. For more information on MR-guided focused ultrasound, visit premierhealth.com/tremor.

Back to the June 2021 issue of Premier Pulse