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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
Case report - Asterixis Post High Frequency Focused-Ultrasound Thalamotomy
Ashley Mears1,2, Ali R Rezai1,2, Richa Tripathi1,3,4
1Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Morgantown, WV, US.
Background:
High frequency focused ultrasound is used for treatment of essential tremor. Side effects associated with the procedure may resolve over time. We report a case of negative myoclonus, which has not been reported with this procedure.
Case Report:
A 73-year-old left-handed man underwent focused ultrasound thalamotomy for treatment of essential tremor. Immediately post procedure he was noted to have negative myoclonus in the treated limb. This side effect resolved over the course of 6 months.
Discussion:
Although asterixis has been associated with thalamic infarcts in the past, this has not yet been reported in the literature with MRgFUS procedure and is a novel observation. Occupational and physical therapy may be considered to address this side effect. It is important to counsel patients about the rare occurrence of this complication of therapy but also its potential for complete resolution over time.
