MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound

MRI-guided focused ultrasound is an exciting technology for treating essential tremor and Parkinson’s Disease without the need for an incision or anesthesia.

The procedure uses sound waves from an ultrasound array to create a tiny lesion in the brain. Symptom relief is immediate, and the procedure is performed as an outpatient, meaning that there is no overnight hospital stay.

Focused ultrasound is the most common type of thalamotomy in the United States for treating patients with essential tremor. Focused ultrasound can also be used for treating Parkinson’s disease in one of several different ways. It is an alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS). I have a particular interest and specialized training in these procedures, and I am the director of movement disorder surgery at Swedish Medical Center.

If you live near Denver and have essential tremor or Parkinson’s Disease, please consider meeting me in consultation to learn about your treatment options.

If you are thinking about focused ultrasound or are planning to have the procedure with me, you can find a copy of my focused ultrasound patient guide/instructions here. You can also read the education packets I provide to patients meeting me in consultation for essential tremor and Parkinson’s Disease.