High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Our movement disorder program is the most comprehensive program in the region.

Tremors are the most common movement disorder and can be caused by several different neurological conditions. Our team has distinguished experience in determining the cause of tremors and working together to provide the appropriate treatment and best care for patients.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU):

HIFU or MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS) is a new, incisionless treatment for tremors that uses sound waves guided by MRI to treat deep structures in the brain that are responsible for tremor. The ultrasound waves are focused on a small location in the thalamus of the brain. The temperature at the target rises high enough to create a small ablation or burn. This provides a therapeutic effect. 

The MRI acts as the "eyes" of the treatment, enabling the physician to plan, guide, and target the treatment area. It also acts like a thermometer by providing continuous temperature monitoring to make sure that only the targeted tissue is affected.

Who is eligible for this incisionless treatment?

Patients who have been diagnosed with essential tremor or tremor-predominant Parkinson's disease and who do not receive acceptable tremor relief from medications may benefit from a focused ultrasound consultation.

Who should be referred for treatment?

Focused ultrasound for tremor has been approved in Colorado for staged unilateral treatment, treating both sides of the brain with a minimum of 9 months between treatments.

• Patients who have tried and failed to respond adequately to primidone and propranolol.
• Patients under 300 pounds who are able to go into an MRI and have no metallic implants that are not MRI-compatible.
• Patients who are otherwise healthy and can lie still in the same position for 1.5-3 hours.
• Other things that should be kept in mind when referring patients:
  • Patients must undergo a complete head shave before the procedure and have no excessive scarring.
  • Certain underlying health conditions may exclude a patient from being a candidate.
  • This treatment is an outpatient procedure and the majority of patients walk away with immediate tremor relief.

Location and Contact:
UCHealth Neurosciences Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Court
Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion
4th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: (720) 848-2080
Email: atmd@uchealth.org

Provider information for referring patients:

Internal (Epic):
AMB REF TO NEUROLOGY
Choose option: Movement Disorders: DBS and Advanced Therapies

External:
Fax to (720) 848-0015

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