The most effective treatment until recently was Deep Brain Stimulation — a surgical procedure that involved placing electrodes inside the brain.
Published Apr 19, 2025 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2025 | 12:00 PM
KIMS Hospitals in Hyderabad is offering Parkinson's patients a chance to regain control without surgery.
Synopsis: MR-guided Focused Ultrasound combines focused ultrasound waves with real-time MRI scanning. Doctors use the MRI to pinpoint the exact area of the brain causing the tremors. Then, using highly focused sound waves, they treat that spot without touching the brain physically. There’s no need for anesthesia or hospital admission.
Imagine not being able to hold a cup of tea without spilling it, or struggling to button your shirt each morning. For thousands living with Parkinson’s disease, these daily tasks become a challenge because of constant, uncontrollable tremors.
But now, a treatment at KIMS Hospitals in Hyderabad is offering these patients a chance to regain control without surgery.
Doctors at KIMS Hospitals in Hyderabad have introduced a breakthrough treatment that’s giving fresh hope to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease — a condition known not just for its physical toll, but also the emotional burden it places on patients and families.
For years, patients with Parkinson’s-related tremors had very limited options. The most effective treatment until recently was Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) — a surgical procedure that involved placing electrodes inside the brain. While DBS has helped many patients, the surgery is invasive, expensive, and not suitable for everyone.
But now, there’s a new ray of hope. KIMS Hospitals has started using a cutting-edge non-surgical treatment called MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS). This method, which doesn’t require any cuts or stitches, can reduce or even eliminate tremors in just three to four hours.
Parkinson’s disease is progressive, meaning it worsens over time. It not only affects a person’s movement and coordination but also deeply impacts their emotional well-being. With MRgFUS, we now have a completely non-invasive way to help people live with dignity,” said Dr Manas Kumar Panigrahi, Chief Neurosurgeon and Head of Neurosurgery at KIMS.
So, how does MRgFUS work? The procedure combines focused ultrasound waves with real-time MRI scanning. Doctors use the MRI to pinpoint the exact area of the brain causing the tremors. Then, using highly focused sound waves, they treat that spot without touching the brain physically. There’s no need for anesthesia or hospital admission.
“We see the tremors reduce during the procedure,” said Dr Manas. “We only complete the treatment when we’re sure the tremors are gone or significantly improved. And the best part — the patient walks out of the hospital the same day, often with steady hands for the first time in years.”
To spread awareness about this technology and other treatment options, KIMS recently held an information session for patients and their families. Over 150 people attended and had their questions answered by the Movement Disorders team.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
