A Safe Method of Treatment Instead of Surgical Intervention for Those Suffering from Essential Tremors and Parkinsonian Tremors
When one is suffering from tremors, it becomes extremely hard to carry out even simple functions. The person finds it difficult to hold basic things, such as a cup of tea or a cell phone. The constant trembling of his hands makes it very difficult. People suffering from essential tremors and Parkinsonian tremors experience difficulty owing to their tremors.
Though drugs are thought to be the best method, patients tend to become resistant to the drugs because of their ineffectiveness and negative side effects. Though surgical intervention may help in solving the problem, patients are not quite fond of surgical treatment because of its invasive nature.
However, with the growing importance of safety, minimally invasive interventions have also become extremely popular, and, accordingly, scientists have developed MRgFUS, i.e., MRI-guided focused ultrasound technique. Currently, patients in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe are increasingly interested in this new technique, as it offers tremor relief without requiring incisions, stitching, or implanted equipment.
At present, MRgFUS is one of the most advanced and promising techniques in neurosurgery and the treatment of movement disorders.
What Is Tremor?
By definition, tremor may be defined as an involuntary and uncontrollable shaking which involves the hands, arms, head and even the voice. While the tremor is usually mild at first, in later times, the shaking increases in severity and affects the daily activities of the patients.
Basically, there are two types of tremors that may occur in humans. The first one is known as an essential tremor, and it occurs when the person is doing something like writing, eating or handling certain objects. However, the second type of tremors is known as Parkinsonian, since it takes place together with other motor impairments (stiffness, slowness, lack of coordination).
Some of the problems that people experience due to tremors include:
- Difficulty moving hands while eating or drinking
- Problems writing
- Difficulties handling things
- Shaking or vibrating voice
- Less confidence in social situations
All of these are some of the difficulties that people experience in their lives.
How Does MRgFUS Treatment Help?
‘MRgFUS’ is an abbreviation for ‘MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound’. It is a non-surgical way to treat trembling of various body parts by focusing ultrasound on the small part of the brain where abnormal impulses are sent.
The main difference between MRgFUS treatment and the traditional brain surgery lies in:
- It doesn’t involve any incision.
- It does not require any stitching.
- It doesn’t include implants.
- It doesn’t require opening of the skull cap.
This procedure entails the application of highly concentrated beams of ultrasound in conjunction with MRI guidance. This is achieved by placing the patient on an MRI bed and exposing him/her to focused beams of ultrasound waves directed to the area of the brain affected.
Due to the fact that the technique does not require any surgery, patients recover faster than through brain operations.
Why Is MRgFUS Getting Popular Throughout the World?
In recent years, numerous studies on MRgFUS treatment techniques have been carried out within such developed countries as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, and other parts of Europe. Today, many patients are searching for treatment methods that can be effective yet minimally invasive. This is why MRgFUS is becoming popular among patients. The main factor that has led to the increased popularity of MRgFUS therapy is a growing tendency toward patient-friendly treatment methods. This is because people prefer techniques that will ensure:
- Fast recovery
- Short stay in hospitals
- Minimum risk of surgeries
- Comfortable conditions
With growing interest in non-invasive neurosurgery, patients today seek tremor treatment without having to undergo brain surgery.
The Main Rationale for Using MRgFUS Therapy to Cure Tremors
No Surgery Required
The advantages of using MRgFUS are plentiful; however, the biggest one among them is that this treatment doesn’t involve any surgeries. There is no need to operate on the patients and to perform stitches afterward. This technique is perfect for older patients who might find invasive procedures scary.
Reduced Time Spent in Hospital
Whereas conventional neurosurgery usually requires patients to spend many days in hospitals, the duration of hospital stay for the purposes of performing MRgFUS is extremely low. Patients usually need to stay in the hospital for only 24 hours and may leave immediately after the treatment. It not only saves time for the patients but is also highly convenient for foreigners.
Immediate Effectiveness
One of the major perks of using MRgFUS therapy is that its effects become noticeable almost immediately. Improvement can appear in the form of:
- Hand stability
- Better writing skills
- Enhancement of eating and drinking abilities
- Increased self-confidence in daily tasks
For some patients, these changes might prove to be the turning point in their lives.
Minimal Side Effects
As the surgery is minimally invasive, the level of risk for patients during MRgFUS treatment is much lower compared to conventional surgery. Because there are no incisions and surgeries performed on brain tissue, there is a much lower chance of developing infections and other possible complications.
Absence of Implants and Foreign Body
In the case of conventional DBS, it involves putting wires, batteries, electrodes, and other foreign objects into a patient’s body. During treatment with MRgFUS, no implants will be required because this technique makes it unnecessary to use the following:
– Wires
– Batteries
– Electrodes
– Operations on devices
People tend to prefer more natural treatment techniques, as opposed to the conventional ones.
Faster Recovery Process
The time it takes a person to recover after undergoing treatment with MRgFUS is considerably shorter than with surgery. In most cases, patients are able to get out of bed and walk shortly after the surgery. A rapid recovery process is especially advantageous for elderly patients, employed individuals, and medical tourists.
High Accuracy Treatment Method
Using the guidance of MRI, MRgFUS treatment targets the area of the brain causing tremors very accurately, thus maximizing the efficiency of the therapy.
MRgFUS vs Traditional Tremor Treatments
| Feature | MRgFUS | Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) | Medication |
| Invasive Procedure | No | Yes | No |
| Surgery Required | No | Yes | No |
| Implants Needed | No | Yes | No |
| Recovery Time | Very Fast | Weeks | Ongoing |
| Hospital Stay | Minimal | Longer | Not Required |
| Long-Term Dependency | No | Device Dependency | Medication Dependency |
| Side Effects | Usually Minimal | Moderate Surgical Risks | Medication Side Effects |
The majority of patients benefit from the combination of safety, efficacy, and practicality of the procedure.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for the MRgFUS Procedure?
A patient whose condition is not manageable using drugs is usually recommended to undergo the procedure. The MRgFUS procedure is usually recommended for those who have essential tremor or Parkinsonian tremor and seek an alternative treatment without surgery.
Not every individual is suitable for the procedure; however, before recommending the procedure, physicians carry out neurological evaluations, MRI tests, and medical tests.
Why Patients Choose Medical Tourism for MRgFUS?
There are numerous reasons why people decide to travel abroad in order to receive their treatment, such as:
- Expensive procedures in Western countries
- Waiting list for treatment
- Unavailability of facilities for the treatment
- Shorter waiting time
Medical tourism provides patients with the opportunity to receive the procedure in a shorter period of time and at affordable rates.
Why Patients Choose India for MRgFUS Treatment?
Patients choose India to undergo their MRgFUS procedure due to the availability of the latest technology of MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound technology and world-class medical facilities.
International patients choose India because of:
- Experienced neurosurgeons and movement disorder specialists
- Faster treatment scheduling
- Affordable treatment costs
- Comprehensive international patient support
Many hospitals also assist patients with:
- Online consultations
- Medical visa support
- Airport pickup
- Accommodation arrangements
- Follow-up care
This combination of advanced care and affordability makes India a leading medical tourism destination for MRgFUS treatment.
Cost Comparison: India vs USA, UK, Canada & Europe
One of the biggest advantages of choosing India for MRgFUS treatment is the significant cost savings.
| Country | Estimated Cost Level |
| USA | Very High |
| UK | High |
| Canada | High |
| Europe | Moderate to High |
| India | Up to 60–70% Lower |
With cheaper prices, the patients can still enjoy advanced medical equipment, competent specialists, and top-quality hospitals.
The Process for Foreign Patients
Typically, it begins with an online consultation where the patient and doctor exchange information regarding the patient’s medical reports, MRI scan report, and symptoms.
Based on the assessment made by the doctors, they determine whether the patient is eligible for MRgFUS treatment. The hospitals help arrange travel, medical visa, hotel, and airport pick-up facilities for foreign patients.
Upon arrival in India, the patient will undergo MRgFUS surgery through the use of MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound treatment. Even after treatment, the patient receives follow-ups and online consultations.
Safety, Success Rate, and Outcome
The outcome of this technology has been quite successful in treating patients with Essential Tremors or Parkinson’s tremor.
The procedure has been found to be safe when performed by professionals; in addition, it is very accurate since imaging technology guides it. This means that the majority of patients have experienced tremendous improvements in their symptoms while being exposed to fewer risks.
Patients have gained confidence in themselves due to increased mobility and freedom.
Risks and Limitations
As in other surgical procedures, there are certain risks and limitations associated with the method, including the following:
- Numbness
- Sensation of pins and needles
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance temporarily
- Headaches
It should also be noted that not all patients can undergo MRgFUS treatment. A proper evaluation must be carried out beforehand by professionals.
Future of Tremor Treatment
Contemporary medical science has been advancing tremendously, and there is an increasing number of therapies that do not involve invasive surgeries. MRgFUS is considered one of the remarkable advancements in neurosurgery because it completely excludes the need for any surgical procedures.
With technological development, the application of MRgFUS in treating the aforementioned conditions will only increase.
Perhaps it is correct to suggest that MRgFUS treatment is the future of brain treatments without any invasive processes, as suggested by some scholars.
Conclusion
MRgFUS treatment gives patients suffering from tremors an opportunity to lead a more comfortable life free of tremors and their symptoms.
With the integration of the following attributes:
- Non-invasive process
- Process guided by MRI
- Fast recovery time
- Risk-free process
The process becomes more appealing, and patients around the globe reap its benefits. As awareness about MRgFUS treatment continues to grow and as access to the process becomes more widespread, a larger number of patients across the globe, including patients from the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and other regions, choose MRgFUS treatment over any form of brain surgery. Patients from countries like India can access the procedure at affordable costs.
FAQs
Q1. Is it possible to use MRgFUS in tremor treatment?
MRgFUS is safe and an effective method, and it can be used in the treatment of tremors.
Q2. What is the duration of the process?
The whole process takes several hours, including preparation, MRI-guided FUS, and the observation period.
Q3. When do patients see the results of the MRgFUS procedure?
Most patients start feeling relief from the tremors either during the procedure or shortly afterwards.
Q4. Which procedure is better, MRgFUS or DBS?
Both procedures are good. The first one is not invasive, while the second one requires implants.
Q5. Can the foreign patients visit India for the treatment with MRgFUS?
All the hospitals give full assistance to international patients and conduct consultations prior to their arrival in India.
