Regional One Health’s focused ultrasound team just celebrated a major milestone: the 200th procedure performed at our East Campus Imaging Center.
Focused ultrasound is a non-surgical, incisionless procedure proven to provide immediate, lasting relief from hand tremors due to essential tremor.
As the first hospital in Tennessee to offer this state-of-the-art option, we are proud to offer life-changing care that helps patients reclaim their independence.
In 2020, Regional One Health became the first hospital in the state of Tennessee to offer focused ultrasound, a non-surgical procedure that provides immediate, lasting relief for hand tremors due to essential tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease.
Four years later, we’re celebrating a major milestone: on Thursday, August 8, the 200th focused ultrasound was performed at our East Campus Imaging Center.
For the focused ultrasound team, the milestone represents more than just a number. It represents 200 people regaining their independence, 200 people getting back to their favorite hobbies, 200 people who can sign their name, 200 people who can go out to eat without feeling embarrassed.
“Focused ultrasound is one of the best parts of my role at Regional One Health,” said Lisa Boysen, operations manager for the East Campus Imaging Center. “It is truly life-altering for the patients that have this procedure and it thrills me to be part of the process. Having performed 200 of these procedures demonstrates the success of our program. I look forward to the next 200!”
Tony Edwards, Director of Radiology Services, said offering access to cutting-edge care right here in Memphis is a blessing for patients. “We are proud to be the only ones in Memphis offering this life-changing procedure,” he said. “It’s hard to believe we have performed 200 of these procedures already, and we look forward to performing many more in the future.”
Hand tremors caused by essential tremor can take patients away from favorite hobbies. Focused ultrasound is proven to provide immediate, lasting tremor relief so patients can get back to the things they love.
Focused ultrasound is a non-surgical, incisionless procedure for patients diagnosed with essential tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. It works by using ultrasound energy guided by MR imaging to treat the precise spot in the brain that is responsible for tremor.
Patients must be 22 years old and need to first try tremor medication without success. Focused ultrasound can be performed to treat tremors in both hands, although patients must wait at least nine months between procedures on the left and right sides of the body.
Prior to having a focused ultrasound, patients consult with a neurologist to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure. This includes having a CT of the skull to determine if it is compatible with treatment.
Patients who qualify for focused ultrasound should expect the procedure to last 2-3 hours.
To start, the patient’s head is shaved and they are fitted with a special helmet that allows water to circulate around the skull. Both of these steps help the ultrasound waves pass through the skull.
After that, the patient lies on a treatment table that goes in and out of the MRI several times over the course of two to three hours. The patient is awake and alert throughout the procedure.
Their physician uses MRI to identify the exact spot in the brain that is causing the tremor. Then, they guide ultrasound waves to create a small therapeutic ablation, or burn, to treat the spot.
Focused ultrasound uses ultrasound energy guided by MR imaging to treat the exact spot in the brain responsible for tremors. It is a non-surgical procedure with no incision and no hospital stay.
During the procedure, the patient is asked to perform simple tasks, such as drawing a spiral or touching their finger to the doctor’s. This helps the team make sure the procedure is working and make any adjustments that are necessary.
After the procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery room and assessed by the medical team to be cleared to go home. Most patients experience immediate, lasting relief from their hand tremors and experience only minor, if any, side effects.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Jason Gerrard, director of Regional One Health’s focused ultrasound program, said it is an excellent option for many patients. Because focused ultrasound is not surgery and there is no incision, he said, patients face a lower risk of complications and an easier recovery.
“Sometimes these patients don’t have another treatment option due to comorbidities, or they simply don’t want to undergo brain surgery. This gives people a safe, effective treatment option without surgery,” Dr. Gerrard said.
“It really is lifechanging for these patients. I smile from ear-to-ear just watching the change in people’s quality of life and how happy it makes them.”