Effective Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Following MRgFUS for Tremor Dominant Parkinson's Disease

Whilst MRI guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy is an effective treatment option for tremor disorders, there are reports of tremor recurrence in patients with tremor dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). The mechanisms for tremor recurrence are unknown but likely relate to the duality of tremor network pathways with ramifications for subsequent treatment options.

We report two cases of tremor dominant PD who experienced tremor recurrence following MRgFUS thalamotomy with subsequent successful subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (DBS). Tremor scores were measured at baseline, 1- and 3-months post MRgFUS and at least 18 months post DBS in both patients. Both cases evidenced immediate improvement in tremor, after MRgFUS, followed by subsequent tremor recurrence. STN DBS resulted in almost complete long-term tremor alleviation in both cases.

These cases demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of STN DBS in patients with tremor dominant PD with tremor recurrence following MRgFUS thalamotomy. We discuss the dualism of tremor outflow pathways that may have implications for single target lesional therapies.