Incision-free brain surgery for essential tremor

Noninvasive surgery for hand tremors offers quick relief with low risk

Essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease can cause shaking and tremors that make everyday activities more difficult. Novant Health is the first in the Carolinas to offer magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound, also called incision-free brain surgery, to provide relief from hand tremors associated with those conditions.

This type of brain surgery requires no sedation and no incision, which lowers your risk of infection and shortens your recovery time. The procedure typically takes about three hours, and results may be evident within minutes. Relief from symptoms may continue for as long as three years after surgery. Watch the video below to learn more about what you can expect from this treatment.

Eligibility

MR-guided focused ultrasound may be a treatment option for those age 22 or older and have been diagnosed with essential tremor and medication has not been effective; or those age 30 or older who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and hand tremors are a primary symptom but were not relieved with medication.