Surgical treatments for tremors

Abstract

Stereotactic surgery is an increasingly popular option for disabling tremors whenever it is insufficiently improved by drug treatment. Surgical approaches are expanding. Thalamic deep brain stimulation is one of the most efficacious treatments. Its recent technological advances with adaptive stimulation and new electrodes configuration will allow a more physiological stimulation. However, a reappraisal of less invasive, new lesioning procedures is underway. Gamma Knife thalamotomy and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasounds encounter very few contraindications. Recent studies reported their efficacy on tremor control and safety profile. Besides the ventralis intermedius nucleus of the thalamus, alternative targets are also emerging. The effectiveness of surgical therapies on essential tremor and Parkinson's disease tremor is well established. For more uncommon tremors, preliminary studies are encouraging. All these surgical therapies can be proposed as treatment option for medically refractory tremors.

Keywords: Focused Ultrasound; Gamma Knife radiosurgery; HIFU; MR-guided; Radiochirurgie Gamma Knife; Stimulation cérébrale profonde; Surgery; Thalamotomie; Thalamotomy; Traitement des tremblements; Tremblements rares; Tremor treatment; Ultrasons focalisés de haute intensité; Uncommon tremors.