Category: Tremor
Objective: To analyse whether the score on the Fazekas scale (FS) correlates with an increased risk of adverse effects (AEs) after unilateral magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy in patients diagnosed with essential tremor (ET).
Background: Since the approval of MRgFUS treatment for refractory ET in 2016, its use in clinical practice has become increasingly widespread. Although it is a safe technique, the factors predisposing to AEs are currently unknown.
Method: We present a retrospective longitudinal study including 70 patients diagnosed with refractory ET who received treatment with MRgFUS thalamotomy guided by 4-tract tractography in a tertiary hospital from July 2021 to July 2023. The target was the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract. For each patient, the FS score was calculated at pre-treatment MRI and the occurrence of AEs at 6 months was registered at clinical history. Pearson’s Chi-square test was applied to assess the differences in AEs between the two groups.
Results: Of the 70 patients treated, 48.6% (n=34) scored 0 at FS, 40% (n=28) scored 1 at FS, 8.6% (n=6) scored 2 at FS and 2.8% (n=2) scored 3 at FS. The left side treated in 94% of patients. Men represent 57% of the sample, with mean age of 71.64 ± 8.35 years. For statistical analysis, patients were divided into two groups: group A with patients scoring 0 on the FS (n=34) and group B with patients scoring ≥1 on the FS scale (n=36). Six months after treatment, 14,71% (n=5) of patients in group A and 16,67% (n=6) of patients in group B presented AEs, with a Pearson’s Chi-square value of 0.05 (p=0.82). Nevertheless, the two patients with a FS score of 3 had AEs during the procedure, which persisted in one of them at six months.
Conclusion: We present the first retrospective study to assess the relationship between the FS score and the development of AEs after MRgFUS thalamotomy in patients with refractory ET. No statistically significant differences in the risk of AEs were found in relation to the FS score at 6 months. However, we observed a higher percentage of AEs in patients with a FS score of 3. Studies with a higher representation of patients with a FS score of 3 are needed to assess the risk of AEs after MRgFUS treatment in this group of patients.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
C. Ribacoba Díaz, A. Fernández Revuelta, M. Yus Fuertes, C. Pérez García, A. Trondin, E. López Valdés, R. García-Ramos García. The Fazekas scale score and the occurrence of adverse events after MRgFUS thalamotomy, is there a relationship? [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-fazekas-scale-score-and-the-occurrence-of-adverse-events-after-mrgfus-thalamotomy-is-there-a-relationship/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-fazekas-scale-score-and-the-occurrence-of-adverse-events-after-mrgfus-thalamotomy-is-there-a-relationship/