Delray Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to offer a new scalpel-free treatment for essential tremor and medication-refractory tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. MR-guided focused ultrasound by INSIGHTEC™, uses sound wave energy to treat brain tissue at the source of the tremor. No surgical incision or anesthesia is necessary, and patients may experience immediate and significant reduction in their hand tremors, giving them a chance to get back to their daily activities.
“This technology is a game changer in our community and for those seeking the very latest in cutting edge technology for neurologic care of Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Lloyd Zucker, chief of neurosurgery at Delray Medical Center. “The future is bright for those who may be stricken with this neurological disease, as we can care for these patients with this new innovative solution to treat tremors.”
MR-guided focused ultrasound combines two technologies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which pinpoints the exact location in the brain responsible for the tremor, and ultrasound, which precisely delivers over 1,000 highly focused beams of acoustic energy at that exact location without damaging any surrounding brain tissue.
Some of the benefits to this technology include:
• No surgical incisions resulting in reduced risk of infection.
• Quicker recovery time with no surgical incision, allowing a return to daily activities within days.
• Performed as an outpatient procedure – most patients go home within 23 hours.
• Immediate and significant reduction in hand tremors.
• Treatment has minimum side effects.
