Unilateral and staged bilateral MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for medication-refractory essential tremor

Status:

In progress

Technology type:

Procedure

Decision:

Selected

Reason for decision:

Anticipate the topic will be of importance to patients, carers, professionals, commissioners and the health of the public to ensure clinical benefit is realised, inequalities in use addressed, and help them make the best use of NHS resources

Process:

IP

ID number:

2046

Description:

Essential tremor is the most common cause of disabling tremor. It typically affects the arms and hands, although it may also involve the head, jaw, tongue and legs. At first the tremor may not be present all the time, but it may gradually worsen over time. Medication is the first line of treatment. Surgery is the next option in people whose condition has not responded to medication. However, surgery is invasive, and some people may refuse or are not eligible for it. This procedure uses MRI-guided focused ultrasound to target and destroy tissues in small areas of the brain (thalamus) associated with tremor. It is performed on one side of the brain. The aim is to reduce the tremor on one side of the body. A second procedure may be performed on the opposite side of the brain, usually 9 to 12 months after the initial procedure, using the same technology and following the same process. The aim is to reduce the tremor on the other side of the body.

Provisional Schedule

Committee meeting: 1:

18 June 2026

Interventional procedure consultation:

19 August 2026 - 09 September 2026

Committee meeting: 2:

08 October 2026

Expected publication:

17 December 2026

Email enquiries

If you have any queries please email IP@nice.org.uk

Timeline

Key events during the development of the guidance:

For further information on how we develop interventional procedures guidance, please see our interventional procedures programme manual