Magnetic-Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) for Essential Tremor

MRgFUS unilateral thalamotomy is covered for adults aged 22 and older with medication-refractory essential tremor who demonstrate moderate-to-severe dominant-hand tremor (CRST >=2) and disabling tremor (CRST disability item >=2), and who are not candidates for DBS. Exclusions include head/voice tremor, bilateral thalamotomy, advanced neurodegenerative disease, unstable cardiac disease, severe depression impairing consent, severe cognitive impairment (MMSE <24), SDR <0.40, and any MRI contraindication; providers must be trained and experienced in functional/stereotactic neurosurgery and MRgFUS.

"Magnetic-resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) unilateral thalamotomy is covered for beneficiaries with medication-refractory essential tremor defined as failure of at least two trials of me..."

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