Objective: To compare the motor function improvements in ON and OFF states in tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (TDPD) patients within one year of follow-up after ablation of the unilateral ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim) by magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS). Methods: A total of nine consecutive patients confirmed with TDPD who underwent unilateral Vim ablation by MRgFUS between April 2019 and September 2019 were included. The Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (MDS-UPDRSIII) and Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) were performed in the ON and OFF stages to distinguish the surgical effects from drug therapy effects. The adverse events and adjustment of drug doses were also recorded. Results: The preoperative MDS-UPDRSIII score in OFF and ON states was 55.0 (48.0, 65.5) and 26.0 (17.0, 27.0), while the CRST score was 46.0 (39.5, 53.5) and 20.0 (13.0, 23.5), respectively; the Levodopa equivalent dose was 600 (456, 600) mg/d. At 1 year after operation, the total MDS-UPDRSIII score and CRST score were 40.0 (30.0, 60.5) and 16.0 (10.0, 29.5) in the OFF state, and 21.0 (17.5, 27.0) and 2.0 (1.5, 7.0) in the ON state, respectively. Compared with the preoperative levels, follow-up at the two-time points (three months and one year after operation) showed the total MDS-UPDRSIII score, as well as MDS-UPDRSIII tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity scores of contralateral limbs all significantly improved in OFF state. However, in the ON state, only the total MDS-UPDRSIII score and tremor score of contralateral limbs significantly improved. The total CRST score and the CRST (A + B) score of contralateral limbs significantly improved at three months and one year after the operation compared with before the operation in both ON and OFF states. The Levodopa equivalent dose at one and three months were not significantly different from the preoperative dose (p > 0.05). No serious adverse responses were observed. Conclusion: Treating TDPD with unilateral Vim ablation by MRgFUS could improve the symptoms of limb tremor and the other core symptoms, such as bradykinesia and rigidity, as well as some non-motor symptoms and the symptoms of ipsilateral limbs.
Keywords: CRST; LEDD; MDS-UPDRS; MRgFUS; TDPD.