MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy in fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome

MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a promising, incision-free but nevertheless invasive technique to ablate deep brain targets.1 Recent studies have investigated the effectiveness and safety of MRgFUS targeting the ventrointermedius nucleus (Vim) of patients with tremor. In separate studies, 4,2 15,3 and 84 patients with essential tremor (ET) were included and followed up for 3 to 12 months after unilateral MRgFUS. The majority of the cases had a clinically meaningful reduction of contralateral hand tremor up to 90%.