Are there any side effects associated with MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound?

MR-guided focused ultrasound can sometimes cause side effects. These side effects really are related to the target that you're aiming for and the structures that surround that in the brain.
Side effects can be permanent if the lesion is placed in these surrounding structures. However, improvements made in MR imaging and improving the delivery of the ultrasound energy to the brain by the specialist team in Queen Square has reduced the risk that permanent lesions are made in surrounding structures with important functions.
As explained by Professor Zrinzo, there are still some side effects that are quite common but usually transient or temporary. The commonest side effects associated with treatment of Essential Tremor are problems with balance, articulation of speech and sometimes tingling in the corner of the mouth or the hand. These are usually transient and as the swelling that occurs immediately after the therapy slowly dies down, these symptoms tend to recede. After 3-6 months post treatment, the rate of these problems is much much lower.
With experience, we have modified how we deliver the ultrasound energy to the brain and the chance or the risk of causing serious permanent problems in good hands is rare, and estimated to be around 1 in 100 or less.
Professor Zrinzo can be contacted through the MR Guided Focused Ultrasound service in Queen Square by email at [e-mail]. For further information, please visit queensquare.com/services/focu...