Ultrasound for tremor
All over Research is being carried out around the world into new therapies for Parkinson's disease and more and more often they have found their way into everyday clinical practice.
At Kiel University Hospital, for example, the first successes are being achieved with ultrasound treatment against tremors (tremors).
Until now there was only the option of medication Therapy or a so-called Deep brain stimulation, in which a probe penetrates into the brain.
Instead, ultrasonic waves are now used
A new method for Germany at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) does not require drilling into the skull in order to defeat the so-called essential tremor.
Instead, the patient gets a helmet. This bundles the ultrasound waves and directs them to a specific point in the brain. “By bundling the ultrasonic waves, the tissue heats up. This leaves a small scar deep in the brain,” explains Ann-Kristin Helmers, Senior Physician in Neurosurgery. This scar ensures that a node that is essential to the tremor is broken.
Network
Steffen Paschen, senior physician in neurology, explains it like this: “Trembling is caused by an oscillating network. This is a network disease where there are dither generators in different places. You have to break through this network. And the point that we put is a node in this dither network." The result: the trembling is reduced.
This method is also used in Bonn.
According to the doctors, the tremor can initially only be treated on one side of the body. The other side of the body can also be treated a few months apart, so that the tremors can then be stopped on both sides of the body. Technically, the UKSH in Kiel is, according to its own statements, at the forefront in Germany. In Germany the method is only still used in Bonn.
17 patients in treatment so far
The doctors are very satisfied with the new method. Because they don't have to insert a tube into the brain, they say there is no risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Most tremor patients are now opting for this new method, according to the UKSH. Within a year, the doctors at the UKSH were able to treat 17 patients with the ultrasound waves. As a rule, you can leave the clinic after a few days.
According to the UKSH, the purchase of the treatment device cost around two million euros, largely financed by the Damp Foundation. Most of the costs of the treatment are covered by the health insurances, the rest by the UKSH.
A remedy for Parkinson's?
According to the UKSH, the procedure has been in use in the USA for several years - for various types of tremor, including those associated with Parkinson's disease. For the future, the doctors hope that the ultrasonic waves may also be used in other specialist areas.
Source: UKSH Kiel
Important addendum from Jürgen Zender!
Comment from Ali Sen in a Parkinson's Facebook group:
“I presented myself for therapy in Kiel this year. You have to know that the procedure is not covered by health insurance. I have applied for reimbursement twice and both have been denied. Of course, I turned down the rejections. The KK recently wrote to me that a commission should evaluate my request. I should ask the KK how things are going."
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