The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi has become the pioneer government medical institution in the nation to treat neurological conditions with the aid of state-of-the-art ultrasound technology. The institute, known for its contributions to the Indian medical field, has introduced cutting-edge neurotechnology that offers a non-invasive alternative to brain surgeries to treat neurological conditions like essential tremors and Parkinson’s disease.
With the help of the newly introduced technology, AIIMS Delhi has made it possible to treat neurological disorders without a single incision or pain of any kind. Doctors are hoping to deal with movement disorders, epilepsy, substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder with the aid of this innovation.
MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound) technology combines two imaging technologies - real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and precise ultrasound targeting - to help treat movement disorders and associated symptoms. Magnetic resonance (MR) Imaging provides doctors with precise images to locate the affected area whereas highly focused ultrasound waves destroy (ablate) a precise area of brain tissue. To be precise, the sonication destroys the tiny area of the brain’s thalamus that produces tremors. The MR technology also measures the precise temperature of brain tissue during the treatment, increasing the safety of the procedure. [1]
Even though several private hospitals like Apollo Hospitals, Medantu and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital provide MRgFUS treatment, the expenditure for the same is not affordable by the normal people. However, introduction of such a technology in a government hospital will be at a cheaper and much affordable rate.
Why Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound technology for Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s disease (PD)?
The major benefits of MRgFUS compared to the currently preferred Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure are that the new technology offers a non-invasive approach for PD treatment and the expenses involved are much lower. The other advantages are the incisionless, real-time monitoring and non-necessity of general anaesthesia or implantation.[2]
Furthermore, no infection risk associated with surgical thalamotomy or surgical implant is involved in MRgFUS. Nonetheless, careful selection of treatment candidates and targets is essential for successful outcomes.[2]
References
1. 2024. Pennmedicine.org. 2024. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/treatments-a-to-z/mr-guided-focused-ultrasound. (Accessed on February 17, 2025)
2. Ko, Tzu-Hsiang, Yu-Hsuan Lee, Lung Chan, Kevin Wen-Kai Tsai, Chien-Tai Hong, and Wei-Lun Lo. 2023. “Magnetic Resonance–Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery for Parkinson’s Disease: A Mini-Review and Comparison between Deep Brain Stimulation.” Parkinsonism & Related Disorders 111 (June): 105431–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105431. (Accessed on February 17, 2025)
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)