HIFU, the most precise technique to treat essential tremor without surgery
The most effective non-surgical technique for treating Parkinson’s disease symptoms, including tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement. It is based on using high-intensity focused ultrasounds that target the brain area causing the symptoms. Performed in a single session, HIFU has immediate and permanent results.
European Reference Centre for Neuro-HIFU by Insightec, the world leader in Neuro-HIFU
Did you know that there is a non-surgical treatment for tremors?
Essential tremor is a movement disorder that can affect the hands, legs, head and voice. It is one of the most common movement disorders, affecting one in five people over the age of 65.
Ascires introduces the novel technique of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, HIFU, which can treat these neurofunctional disorders without invasive processes. This technique involves the use of thousands of ultrasound beams directed through the patient’s skull to target the specific cells involved in the neuronal connections that lead to tremors. By acting as a magnifying glass, the ultrasound beams provide a highly precise treatment, resulting in immediate results for patients
The HIFU technique is now also being used to treat certain symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including tremors, slowness, and stiffness of movement.
How is HIFU performed?
HIFU is a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure to treat patients with movement disorders, including essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. It involves shooting ultrasounds through the skull to lesion the brain areas that are causing the symptoms.
Preparation before the procedure
Once our specialists have determined the patient’s suitability for this technique, we will perform a 3 Tesla (maximum resolution) MRI scan, brain tractography, and volumetry. With these non-invasive tests, our medical team will accurately determine the exact submillimetric point of the brain on which to act. Each patient will also attend preparatory consultations for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Procedure
HiFU applies ultrasound beams at high temperatures, like a lens that concentrates the sun rays, acting with precision on neuronal cells that cause the movement, without surgery and painlessly. During the operation, lasting 1.5 – 2 hours, the patient remains awake and interacts with the medical team. After the treatment, our Neurology specialist will examine them and evaluate the results.