Steffen Paschen MD, Elena Natera-Villalba MD, José A. Pineda-Pardo PhD, Marta del Álamo MD, Rafael Rodríguez-Rojas PhD, Johannes Hensler MD, Günther Deuschl PhD, Jose A. Obeso PhD, Ann-Kristin Helmers MD, Raúl Martínez-Fernández PhD
Comparative Study of Focused Ultrasound Unilateral Thalamotomy and Subthalamotomy for Medication-Refractory Parkinson's Disease Tremor
Background
Unilateral focused ultrasound ventral intermediate thalamotomy (Vim-FUS) is effective in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) tremor. Ultrasound ablation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-FUS) has demonstrated efficacy in improving all cardinal motor features of PD, including tremor.
Objective
To compare the efficacy in parkinsonian tremor control between Vim-FUS and STN-FUS.
Methods
Retrospective, two-center study including consecutive PD patients with medication-refractory tremor who underwent unilateral Vim-FUS or STN-FUS between June 2015 and August 2022. Patients scored ≥2 for postural and/or resting tremor on the most affected body side in the off-medication state. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in tremor improvement on the treated side at 12-month follow-up, including a responder's analysis. Data regarding safety, global motor status, and dopaminergic requirements were also collected. Group comparisons used repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction; statistical significance for P < 0.05.
Results
Among 175 patients treated at the two sites, 63 were included (23 Vim-FUS, 40 STN-FUS). At baseline, both groups were equivalent in disease duration (6.7 ± 3.8 vs. 6.1 ± 3.4 years, P = 0.48) and tremor severity (5.7 ± 1.5 vs. 5.9 ± 2.5, P = 0.7). While the benefit in tremor was equivalent between the groups at 4 months (P = 0.15), tremor reduction was greater in STN- FUS patients at 12 months (4.4 ± 2.0, 95% CI 3.7–5.0 compared with 2.7 ± 3.7, 95% CI 1.1–4.3 for Vim-FUS, P = 0.012). In 47.5% (19/40) of STN-FUS patients tremor was completely abolished versus 8.7% (2/23) in Vim-FUS patients (P < 0.01). Most adverse events were mild (91%) and resolved by 12 months.
期刊介绍:
Movement Disorders publishes a variety of content types including Reviews, Viewpoints, Full Length Articles, Historical Reports, Brief Reports, and Letters. The journal considers original manuscripts on topics related to the diagnosis, therapeutics, pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, etiology, genetics, and epidemiology of movement disorders. Appropriate topics include Parkinsonism, Chorea, Tremors, Dystonia, Myoclonus, Tics, Tardive Dyskinesia, Spasticity, and Ataxia.