Is Transcranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound a Repeatable Treatment Option? Case Report of a Retreated Patient with Tremor Combined with Parkinsonism

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, transcranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided Focused Ultrasound (tcMRgFUS) treatments for functional neurological disorders are giving a new thrust to the field of therapeutic brain lesioning. OBJECTIVE: To present the case of a patient affected by tremor combined with Parkinsonism who underwent a second tcMRgFUS thalamotomy because of relapsing tremor after a few months from the first tcMRgFUS treatment. METHODS: A 72-yr-old, right-handed man, came to our observation because of a disabling tremor affecting his upper limbs, refusing any invasive surgical procedure and already treated by tcMRgFUS left Vim thalamotomy. However, clinical benefit had brief duration, as a progressive recurrence of tremor on the right upper limb was observed after a few months from the first treatment. Thus, the patient underwent a new left-sided tcMRgFUS procedure 6 mo after the former treatment. RESULTS: After the second procedure, an immediate and complete relief from tremor on the right upper limb was achieved with clinical benefit that persisted up to a 6-mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: Since tcMRgFUS doesn't use ionizing radiations and it is incision-less, repeated and staged treatment procedures have always been hypothesized. Our report suggests that tcMRgFUS retreatment might actually be a feasible, safe, and effective option in selected patients in whom an optimal clinical outcome is not achieved after the first treatment session. However, future well-designed studies in large samples are needed to assess the possible risks of retreatment and the optimal timing of reintervention as well as eligibility and exclusion criteria.