Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40464831›Full record

SynthesisNeurosurgical review2025

Enhancing precision in MRgFUS for tremor treatment: a systematic review of tractography-based VIM targeting approaches.

Benjamin Mendelson, Joseph C Melott, Kate Gelman, Abdul Hadi Khan, Aniruddha Bhagwat, Peter Konrad, Adeel A Memon

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Neurosurgical review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Benjamin Mendelson *School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Joseph C Melott *School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Kate Gelman *School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Abdul Hadi KhanDepartment of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, 75510, Pakistan.
Aniruddha BhagwatDepartment of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Peter KonradDepartment of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Adeel A MemonDepartment of Neurology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA. Adeel.memon@hsc.wvu.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMagnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy has been an effective treatment option in the management of various tremor etiologies. The process of targeting the VIM thalamic location relies on indirect atlas/coordinate-based systems using anatomic reference points. With advancing imaging modalities, thalamic structures can be better visualized resulting in additional targeting techniques and improved accuracy.

objectivesTo identify and evaluate MRgFUS thalamotomy targeting techniques for tremor beyond atlas/coordinate-based systems.

methodsA systematic review was conducted in Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed. Studies including MRgFUS for tremor, targeting methods, and tremor outcomes were included. After review of 297 studies, 13 met inclusion criteria.

resultsAll 13 studies used tractography to visualize various combinations of white matter tracts to guide target acquisition. These tracts include the medial lemniscus (ML), corticospinal tract (CST), and the dentatorubrothalamic tracts (DRTT) which was further delineated into the non-decussating (ndDRTT) and a decussating components (dDRTT) by some studies. At least 50% reduction was reported by all studies with paresthesia and gait instability being the most common side effects, although mostly mild and transient.

conclusionsAdvanced targeting via tractography may lead to better outcomes and could broaden the eligibility criteria for MRgFUS. Individualized targeting allows for more precise sonication, potentially reducing the number of sonications needed, improving patient tolerance, making sedation a viable option, and boosting effectiveness, especially in cases of atypical anatomy. To confirm these potential benefits in MRgFUS thalamotomy, standardized trials are definitely needed.

Indexed as

Diffusion Tensor ImagingTremorVentral Thalamic NucleiHumansTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.