Essential tremor treatment with Gamma Knife thalamotomy

Thalamotomy is the procedure that helps to decrease the severity of the essential tremor symptoms by destroying certain parts of the brain - the thalamus, mainly various thalamus nuclei. Thalamotomy might be performed using stereotactic radiosurgery methods (so-called Gamma Knife), which are believed to be the most effective yet safe. Before starting any treatment, medical practitioners should create a personal patient plan that will help to reach maximum efficiency. For example, MRI or CT scans are often used to create a 3D projection of the patient’s brain and plan further treatment. The patient is placed on the table with a fixated head during a procedure. At the same time, Gamma Knife points focused beams of ionizing exposure on the patient’s thalamus, according to the previously developed plan. A process might take from a few minutes up to 2 hours, depending on the specifications and treatment plan features.  Many studies have shown that more than 88% of patients who undergo Gamma Knife for essential tremors report an improvement in their clinical symptoms. That makes the treatment effective for many patients with tremors. In addition, Gamma Knife can be a safe alternative to DBS surgery and combined with various medications.