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Parkinson's disease is a degenerative
neurological disease that impacts a person's movements, coordination, and
balance. Even though a permanent solution does not exist for Parkinson's, its
symptoms can be alleviated, and the quality of life can be improved through
various treatment options. Throughout time, surgery became an important option
for patients who do not respond to medication. With new technology, however, a
technique called MRgFUS – Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery
– offers a much less invasive alternative to conventional brain surgery.
We will discuss the advantages of MRgFUS to
traditional surgeries like Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS so you and your loved
ones can make an informed decision. We will cover the symptoms, how one is
diagnosed, treatment alternatives, and frequently asked questions regarding
these surgical types.
The primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease stem from its adverse effect on the brain region responsible for controlling movement and motor functions. The onset of distinct features is gradual and becomes increasingly problematic with time, such as:
• Tremors: Manifesting as uncontrolled movements of an individual's arms, legs, and hands, which almost always begin at a single side.
• Stiffness: Muscular tightness that occurs in the joints and parts of the limbs.
• Slowness of Movement (Bradykinesia): Reduced rate of movement and reaction.
• Loss of Postural Balance
• Changes to Speaking and Writing
• Absence of Facial Expression
Alongside the primary motor symptoms, other
co-occurring non-motor symptoms that are often reported include depression,
sleep troubles, memory issues, constipation, and added muscle tension.
Criteria For Diagnosis
To date, there is no definitive procedure for testing blood to identify a patient as having Parkinson's. Doctors are often looking for:
Surgical Management of Parkinson's
Disease: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
It is widely known that deep brain
stimulation is the most frequently performed surgical intervention for
Parkinson's Disease. It involves the placement of thin wires known as
electrodes into the specific targets within the patient's brain. Those
electrodes are attached to a battery-operated device, which is subcutaneously
implanted in the chest area (similar to a pacemaker). The device helps in
controlling abnormal movements by sending signals to the brain.
Advantages of DBS
•
Helps in controlling tremors,
stiffness and other forms of movement difficulties.
•
Changes can be made to the
treatment and even reversed.
•
Provides lasting benefits.
•
Allows for a reduction in the
amount of medication taken.
Disadvantages of DBS
•
Patients require brain surgery
under general anesthesia.
•
Threat of infections, possibly
bleeding and, at times, a stroke.
•
Every few years, the battery
needs to be replaced.
•
Cannot guarantee relief from
non-motor symptoms.
MRgFUS: The New-Generation Treatment
Known as magnetic resonance-guided focused
ultrasound surgery, MRgFUS is a non-invasive method of treatment. The procedure
focuses ultrasound waves to destroy little slices of tissues within the brain
that are responsible for the tremors seen in patients suffering from
Parkinson's Disease. The procedure is guided by MRI scans which allow for great
accuracy without needing to slit the skin.
Currently, MRgFUS is approved for patients
suffering from tremor-dominant Parkinson's or those with essential tremors who
do not respond to medications.
How It Works
• The patient reclines into an MRI machine, putting on a specialized headset.
• Target areas are focused on ultrasound beams.
• MRI guides the focus and monitors the temperature.
• Problematic tissue is destroyed with a high amount of energy once the correct spot is located.
Benefits of MRgFUS
• No
cuts or stitches are made: MRgFUS is non-invasive
• All
in one session.
• Quicker
healing time.
• Instant
reduction of tremors.
• No
implanted hardware or batteries are required.