Hospital introduces advanced treatment for tremors

Greenwich Hospital has successfully performed its first high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedure, offering groundbreaking relief for patients suffering from essential tremor, a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable shaking, as well as tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease.

The noninvasive procedure targets and disrupts tremor-causing brain tissue with precision. Under MRI guidance, sound waves are focused on the small spot in the patient’s brain considered responsible for causing tremors. Low energy is first applied, which allows the patient to inform the physician of any sensations they feel or other potential side effects. The physician can then make adjustments to the target. The energy is gradually increased to create a small therapeutic lesion.

Many patients, such as Deborah Ewen of Old Greenwich, experience immediate improvement. Ewen, the first to receive the treatment at Greenwich Hospital, has suffered from essential tremors for nearly 40 years. She received treatment for tremors on the right side of her body and is eligible for treatment to the left side of her body in approximately nine months.

Zion Zibly, MD, neurosurgeon, Greenwich Hospital, and associate professor of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine (YSM), and Alice Rusk, MD, neurologist, Greenwich Hospital, and associate professor, YSM, oversaw the procedure.

“It was a fabulous outcome for the patient,” Dr. Rusk said. “She has dealt with this condition for many years and has a very strong family history with essential tremors. The collaboration with Dr. Zibly was fantastic and we are happy the patient is doing so well.”

After the procedure, Ewen shed tears of joy as she fed herself and drank water without tremors. Before, Ewen was asked to complete an exercise that included drawing spirals and a line and writing her name. Afterward, she completed the same exercise, with remarkable improvement.

“I’m so grateful,” she said.