Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute First in Region to Offer Incisionless Focused Ultrasound Procedure for Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, now proudly part of Jefferson Health, today announced that it has begun treating patients living with medication-resistant essential tremor and some disabling Parkinson’s disease symptoms using focused ultrasound treatment. A first in the region, treatments are available at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, one of only two sites in Pennsylvania that offer this treatment. To date, five patients have been treated.

This innovative treatment uses sound waves to precisely remove deep brain targets without surgical incisions or burr holes. Each treatment is performed in a single session under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance for high-quality views of the patient’s anatomy. This allows precise targeting, real-time temperature monitoring and immediate confirmation of treatment outcomes. The result for many patients is immediate improvement of tremor with minimal complications.

“We are thrilled to be the first hospital in our region to offer this innovative procedure and transform the lives of those living with tremors,” said Steven Lewis, MD, Physician in Chief of Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute and Regional Chief, Lehigh Valley, of the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience. “This technology provides exciting opportunities for our neurosurgery team and allows us to continue to provide top-tier management options to our patients.”

The treatment is provided by functional neurosurgeons in collaboration with movement disorder neurologists. In addition to the team at Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, neurosurgeons from Jefferson Health’s Comprehensive Parkinson’s and Movements Disorders Center will start utilizing this treatment at LVH–Cedar Crest in the coming months.

“The launch of this leading-edge treatment highlights our shared commitment to our communities," said Robert Rosenwasser, MD, MBA, CEO of the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Jefferson Health. "As Jefferson Health and LVHN continue to come together, I'm excited about expanding our capabilities for therapeutic intervention and research within our comprehensive neuroscience center."

MR-guided focused ultrasound received additional approval by the FDA in 2022 to treat both sides of the body in essential tremor patients as the disease commonly affects more than one side of the body. Appropriate patients can have their second side treated at least nine months after treatment of the first side.

Prospective patients and referring physicians who are interested in this treatment can call 610-402-1055 to speak with a nurse navigator. For more information visit LVHN.org/FUS.