Gamma Knife Thalamotomy for Parkinson Disease and Essential Tremor: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Ohye ◽  
Yoshinori Higuchi ◽  
Toru Shibazaki ◽  
Takao Hashimoto ◽  
Toru Koyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Spherical Shape ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Lateral Part ◽  
Thalamic Lesion ◽  
Clinical Effects

Abstract BACKGROUND: No prospective study of gamma knife thalamotomy for intractable tremor has previously been reported. Objective: To clarify the safety and optimally effective conditions for performing unilateral gamma knife (GK) thalamotomy for tremors of Parkinson disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET), a systematic postirradiation 24-month follow-up study was conducted at 6 institutions. We present the results of this multicenter collaborative trial. Methods: In total, 72 patients (PD characterized by tremor, n = 59; ET, n = 13) were registered at 6 Japanese institutions. Following our selective thalamotomy procedure, the lateral part of the ventralis intermedius nucleus, 45% of the thalamic length from the anterior tip, was selected as the GK isocenter. A single 130-Gy shot was applied using a 4-mm collimator. Evaluation included neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging and/or computerized tomography, the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), electromyography, medication change, and video observations. Results: Final clinical effects were favorable. Of 53 patients who completed 24 months of follow-up, 43 were evaluated as having excellent or good results (81.1%). UPDRS scores showed tremor improvement (parts II and III). Thalamic lesion size fluctuated but converged to either an almost spherical shape (65.6%), a sphere with streaking (23.4%), or an extended high-signal zone (10.9%). No permanent clinical complications were observed. Conclusion: GK thalamotomy is an alternative treatment for intractable tremors of PD as well as for ET. Less invasive intervention may be beneficial to patients.

Gamma knife thalamotomy for treatment of tremor: long-term results

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 128-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Young ◽  
Skip Jacques ◽  
Rufus Mark ◽  
Oleg Kopyov ◽  
Brian Copcutt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of gamma knife thalamotomy for treatment of disabling tremor. Methods. One hundred fifty-eight patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging—guided radiosurgical nucleus ventralis intermedius (VIM) thalamotomy for the treatment of parkinsonian tremor (102 patients), essential tremor (52 patients), or tremor due to stroke, encephalitis, or cerebral trauma (four patients). Preoperative and postoperative blinded assessments were performed by a team of independent examiners skilled in the evolution of movement disorders. A single isocenter exposure with the 4-mm collimator helmet of the Leksell gamma knife unit was used to make the lesions. In patients with Parkinson's disease 88.3% became fully or nearly tremor free, with a mean follow up of 52.5 months. Statistically significant improvements were seen in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale tremor scores and rigidity scores, and these improvements were maintained in 74 patients followed 4 years or longer. In patients with essential tremor, 92.1% were fully or nearly tremor free postoperatively, but only 88.2% remained tremor free by 4 years or more post-GKS. Statistically significant improvements were seen in the Clinical Rating Scale for tremor in essential tremor patients and these improvements were well maintained in the 17 patients, followed 4 years or longer. Only 50% of patients with tremor of other origins improved significantly. One patient sustained a transient complication and two patients sustained mild permanent side effects from the treatments. Conclusions. Gamma knife VIM thalamotomy provides relief from tremor equivalent to that provided by radiofrequency thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation, but it is safer than either of these alternatives. Long-term follow up indicates that relief of tremor is well maintained. No long-term radiation-induced complications have been observed.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for tremor in Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and dystonia

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (13) ◽  
pp. 1416-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubens Gisbert Cury ◽  
Valerie Fraix ◽  
Anna Castrioto ◽  
Maricely Ambar Pérez Fernández ◽  
Paul Krack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Brain Stimulation ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Dystonic Tremor ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Deep Brain

Objective:To report on the long-term outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) in Parkinson disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and dystonic tremor.Methods:One hundred fifty-nine patients with PD, ET, and dystonia underwent VIM DBS due to refractory tremor at the Grenoble University Hospital. The primary outcome was a change in the tremor scores at 1 year after surgery and at the latest follow-up (21 years). Secondary outcomes included the relationship between tremor score reduction over time and the active contact position. Tremor scores (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III, items 20 and 21; Fahn, Tolosa, Marin Tremor Rating Scale) and the coordinates of the active contacts were recorded.Results:Ninety-eight patients were included. Patients with PD and ET had sustained improvement in tremor with VIM stimulation (mean improvement, 70% and 66% at 1 year; 63% and 48% beyond 10 years, respectively; p < 0.05). There was no significant loss of stimulation benefit over time (p > 0.05). Patients with dystonia exhibited a moderate response at 1-year follow-up (41% tremor improvement, p = 0.027), which was not sustained after 5 years (30% improvement, p = 0.109). The more dorsal active contacts' coordinates in the right lead were related to a better outcome 1 year after surgery (p = 0.029). During the whole follow-up, forty-eight patients (49%) experienced minor side effects, whereas 2 (2.0%) had serious events (brain hemorrhage and infection).Conclusions:VIM DBS is an effective long-term (beyond 10 years) treatment for tremor in PD and ET. Effects on dystonic tremor were modest and transient.Classification of evidence:This provides Class IV evidence. It is an observational study.

Gamma Knife thalamotomy for essential tremor

2008 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
Joseph G. Ong ◽  
John Y. K. Lee ◽  
Robert Y. Moore ◽  
John C. Flickinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Speech Impairment ◽  
Action Tremor ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Writing Scores

Object The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results following Gamma Knife thalamotomy (GKT) for medically refractory essential tremor in a series of patients in whom open surgical techniques were not desirable. Methods Thirty-one patients underwent GKT for disabling essential tremor after medical therapy had failed. Their mean age was 77 years. Most patients were elderly or had concomitant medical illnesses. A single 4-mm isocenter was used to target a maximum dose of 130 or 140 Gy to the nucleus ventralis intermedius. Items from the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin clinical tremor rating scale were used to grade tremor and handwriting before and after radiosurgery. Results The median follow-up was 36 months. In the group of 26 evaluable patients, the mean tremor score (± standard deviation) was 3.7 ± 0.1 preoperatively and 1.7 ± 0.3 after radiosurgery (p < 0.000015). The mean handwriting score was 2.8 ± 0.2 before GKT and 1.7 ± 0.2 afterward (p < 0.0002). After radiosurgery, 18 patients (69%) showed improvement in both action tremor and writing scores, 6 (23%) only in action tremor scores, and 3 (12%) in neither tremor nor writing. Permanent mild right hemiparesis and speech impairment developed in 1 patient 6 months after radiosurgery. Another patient had transient mild right hemiparesis and dysphagia. Conclusions Gamma Knife thalamotomy is a safe and effective therapy for medically refractory essential tremor. Its use is especially valuable for patients ineligible for radiofrequency thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation. Patients must be counseled on potential complications, including the low probability of a delayed neurological deficit.

The mechanism and effect of chronic electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus for treatment of Parkinson disease

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 997-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuhiro Ogura ◽  
Naoyuki Nakao ◽  
Ekini Nakai ◽  
Yuji Uematsu ◽  
Toru Itakura
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Globus Pallidus ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chronic Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Stimulation Of

Object. Although chronic electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus (GP) has been shown to ameliorate motor disabilities in Parkinson disease (PD), the underlying mechanism remains to be clarified. In this study the authors explored the mechanism for the effects of deep brain stimulation of the GP by investigating the changes in neurotransmitter levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during the stimulation. Methods. Thirty patients received chronic electrical stimulation of the GP internus (GPi). Clinical effects were assessed using the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale at 1 week before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. One day after surgery, CSF samples were collected through a ventricular tube before and 1 hour after GPi stimulation. The concentration of neurotransmitters such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline, dopamine, and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the CSF was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The treatment was effective for tremors, rigidity, and drug-induced dyskinesia. The concentration of GABA in the CSF increased significantly during stimulation, although there were no significant changes in the level of noradrenaline, dopamine, and HVA. A comparison between an increased rate of GABA concentration and a lower UPDRS score 6 months postimplantation revealed that the increase in the GABA level correlated with the stimulation-induced clinical effects. Conclusions. Stimulation of the GPi substantially benefits patients with PD. The underlying mechanism of the treatment may involve activation of GABAergic afferents in the GP.

Gamma knife radiosurgery as a lesioning technique in movement disorder surgery

1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. E13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Young ◽  
Anne Shumway-Cook ◽  
Sandra S. Vermeulen ◽  
Peter Grimm ◽  
John Blasko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Movement Disorder ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Movement Disorders ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Maximum Deviation

Fifty-five patients underwent radiosurgical placement of lesions either in the thalamus (27 patients) or globus pallidus (28 patients) for treatment of movement disorders. Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively by a team of observers skilled in the assessment of gait and movement disorders who were blinded to the procedure performed. They were not associated with the surgical team and concomitantly and blindly also assessed a group of 11 control patients with Parkinson's disease who did not undergo any surgical procedures. All stereotactic lesions were made with the Leksell gamma unit using the 4-mm secondary collimator helmet and a single isocenter with dose maximums from 120 to 160 Gy. Clinical follow-up evaluation indicated that 88% of patients who underwent thalamotomy became tremor free or nearly tremor free. Statistically significant improvements in performance were noted in the independent assessments of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores in the patients undergoing thalamotomy. Eighty-five and seven-tenths percent of patients undergoing pallidotomy who had exhibited levodopa-induced dyskinesias had total or near-total relief of that symptom. Clinical assessment indicated improvement of bradykinesia and rigidity in 64.3% of patients who underwent pallidotomy. Independent blinded assessments did not reveal statistically significant improvements in Hoehn and Yahr scores or UPDRS scores. On the other hand, 64.7% of patients showed improvements in subscores of the UPDRS, including activities of daily living (58%), total contralateral score (58%), and contralateral motor scores (47%). Ipsilateral total UPDRS and ipsilateral motor scores were both improved in 59% of patients. One (1.8%) of 55 patients experienced a homonymous hemianopsia 9 months after pallidotomy due to an unexpectedly large lesion. No other complications of any kind were seen. Follow-up neuroimaging confirmed correct lesion location in all patients, with a mean maximum deviation from the planned target of 1 mm in the vertical axis. Measurements of lesions at regular interals on postoperative magnetic resonance images demonstrated considerable variability in lesion volumes. The safety and efficacy of functional lesions made with the gamma knife appear to be similar to those made with the assistance of electrophysiological guidance with open functional stereotactic procedures. Functional lesions may be made safely and accurately using gamma knife radiosurgical techniques. The efficacy is equivalent to that reported for open techniques that use radiofrequency lesioning methods with electrophysiological guidance. Complications are very infrequent with the radiosurgical method. The use of functional radiosurgical lesioning to treat movement disorders is particularly attractive in older patients and those with major systemic diseases or coagulopathies; its use in the general movement disorder population seems reasonable as well.

scholarly journals Outcome and Complications of MR Guided Focused Ultrasound for Essential Tremor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohit Agrawal ◽  
Kanwaljeet Garg ◽  
Raghu Samala ◽  
Roopa Rajan ◽  
Vikas Naik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Post Procedure ◽  
Standard Mean Difference ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Background: Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a relatively novel technique to treat essential tremor (ET). The objective of this review was to analyze the efficacy and the safety profile of MRgFUS for ET.Methods: A systematic literature review was done. The post procedure changes in the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) score, hand score, disability and quality of life scores were analyzed.Results: We found 29 studies evaluating 617 patients. DTI based targeting was utilized in six cohorts. A significant difference was observed in the pooled standard mean difference between the pre and postoperative total CRST score (p-value &lt; 0.001 and 0.0002), hand score (p-value 0.03 and 0.02); and the disability at 12 months (p-value 0.01). Head pain and dizziness were the most in procedure complications. The immediate pooled proportion of ataxia was 50%, while it was 20% for sensory complications, which, respectively, declined to 31 and 13% on long term follow up. A significant reduction (p = 0.03) in immediate ataxia related complications was seen with DTI targeting.Conclusion: MRgFUS for ET seems to be an effective procedure for relieving unilateral tremor. Use of DTI based targeting revealed a significant reduction in post procedure ataxia related complications as compared to traditional targeting techniques. Analysis of other complications further revealed a decreasing trend on follow up.

DBS targeting for essential tremor using intersectional dentato-rubro-thalamic tractography and direct proton density visualization of the VIM: technical note on 2 cases

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Melanie A. Morrison ◽  
Anthony T. Lee ◽  
Alastair J. Martin ◽  
Cameron Dietiker ◽  
Ethan G. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Proton Density ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Mri Sequences ◽  
Ventral Intermediate Nucleus ◽  
Deep Brain

OBJECTIVEDirect visualization of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus on standard MRI sequences remains elusive. Therefore, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for essential tremor (ET) indirectly targets the VIM using atlas-derived consensus coordinates and requires awake intraoperative testing to confirm clinical benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of proton density (PD)–weighted MRI and tractography of the intersecting dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRTT) for direct “intersectional” targeting of the VIM in ET.METHODSDBS targets were selected by identifying the VIM on PD-weighted images relative to the DRTT in 2 patients with ET. Tremor reduction was confirmed with intraoperative clinical testing. Intended target coordinates based on the direct intersectional targeting technique were compared with consensus coordinates obtained with indirect targeting. Pre- and postoperative tremor scores were assessed using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor rating scale (TRS).RESULTSPlanned DBS coordinates based on direct versus indirect targeting of the VIM differed in both the anteroposterior (range 0 to 2.3) and lateral (range −0.7 to 1) directions. For 1 patient, indirect targeting—without PD-weighted visualization of the VIM and DRTT—would have likely resulted in suboptimal electrode placement within the VIM. At the 3-month follow-up, both patients demonstrated significant improvement in tremor symptoms subjectively and according to the TRS (case 1: 68%, case 2: 72%).CONCLUSIONSDirect intersectional targeting of the VIM using PD-weighted imaging and DRTT tractography is a feasible method for DBS placement in patients with ET. These advanced targeting techniques can supplement awake intraoperative testing or be used independently in asleep cases to improve surgical efficiency and confidence.

Three-year follow-up of prospective trial of focused ultrasound thalamotomy for essential tremor

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (24) ◽  
pp. e2284-e2293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey H. Halpern ◽  
Veronica Santini ◽  
Nir Lipsman ◽  
Andres M. Lozano ◽  
Michael L. Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Postural Tremor ◽  
Hand Tremor

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that transcranial magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound (tcMRgFUS) thalamotomy is effective, durable, and safe for patients with medication-refractory essential tremor (ET), we assessed clinical outcomes at 3-year follow-up of a controlled multicenter prospective trial.MethodsOutcomes were based on the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor, including hand combined tremor–motor (scale of 0–32), functional disability (scale of 0–32), and postural tremor (scale of 0–4) scores, and total scores from the Quality of Life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire (scale of 0–100). Scores at 36 months were compared with baseline and at 6 months after treatment to assess for efficacy and durability. Adverse events were also reported.ResultsMeasured scores remained improved from baseline to 36 months (all p < 0.0001). Range of improvement from baseline was 38%–50% in hand tremor, 43%–56% in disability, 50%–75% in postural tremor, and 27%–42% in quality of life. When compared to scores at 6 months, median scores increased for hand tremor (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–2, p = 0.0098) and disability (95% CI 1–4, p = 0.0001). During the third follow-up year, all previously noted adverse events remained mild or moderate, none worsened, 2 resolved, and no new adverse events occurred.ConclusionsResults at 3 years after unilateral tcMRgFUS thalamotomy for ET show continued benefit, and no progressive or delayed complications. Patients may experience mild degradation in some treatment metrics by 3 years, though improvement from baseline remains significant.Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT01827904.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with severe ET, unilateral tcMRgFUS thalamotomy provides durable benefit after 3 years.

Gamma Knife thalamotomy for treatment of essential tremor: long-term results

2010 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1311-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Young ◽  
Francisco Li ◽  
Sandra Vermeulen ◽  
Robert Meier
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Deep Brain

Object The goal of this report was to describe the safety and effectiveness of nucleus ventralis intermedius (VIM) thalamotomy performed with the Leksell Gamma Knife (GK) for the treatment of essential tremor (ET). Methods One hundred seventy-two patients underwent a total of 214 VIM thalamotomy procedures with the Leksell GK between February 1994 and March 2007 for treatment of disabling ET. Eleven patients were lost to follow-up less than 1 year after the procedures, so that in this report the authors describe the results in 161 patients who underwent a total of 203 thalamotomies (119 unilateral and 42 bilateral). Results There were statistically significant decreases (p < 0.0001) in tremor scores for both writing and drawing. The mean postoperative follow-up duration for all patients was 44 ± 33 months. Fifty-four patients have been followed for more than 60 months posttreatment. There were 14 patients who suffered neurological side effects that were temporary (6) or permanent (8), which accounted for 6.9% of the 203 treatments. All complications were related to lesions that grew larger than expected. Conclusions A VIM thalamotomy with the Leksell GK offers a safe and effective alternative for surgical treatment of ET. It is particularly applicable to patients who are not ideal candidates for deep brain stimulation but can be offered to all patients who are considering surgical intervention for ET.

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