Today, Riverside Health announced the successful completion of its 100th MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound treatment— a groundbreaking, non-invasive therapy that precisely targets and treats areas of the brain responsible for tremors. This procedure is used to treat patients with Essential Tremor or tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms have not improved with medication. Since introducing the procedure in September of 2022, Riverside has been one of only two hospitals in Eastern Virginia, and six statewide, to offer this advanced technology, and its implementation expanded access to life-changing care for patients across the Virginia Peninsula.
“This is truly life-changing medicine,” said Jackson Salvant, M.D., the neurosurgeon at Riverside Hampton Roads Neurosurgical & Spine Specialists who oversaw the procedure. “For patients who have run out of treatment options, MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound can deliver immediate, often dramatic results with minimal recovery time. Restoring the ability to eat, write, and manage daily activities not only improves health — it restores confidence, independence, and quality of life. Reaching our 100th case is more than a milestone; it’s a celebration of 100 lives transformed.”
The milestone patient, Debbie, had lived with upper-extremity tremors for more than 20 years. Over time, the shaking in her dominant hand worsened to the point where she could no longer write a grocery list, hold utensils without spilling, or perform job duties she once excelled at.
“The tremor had taken over so much of my life. I couldn’t eat a meal without worrying about spilling, and even signing my name became difficult,” Debbie shared. “When my hand steadied during the procedure, it felt like a weight had been lifted.”
During the procedure, MRI-guided imaging pinpoints the exact area in the brain causing the tremors. After test doses to confirm the location, thousands of ultrasound beams are precisely focused on that spot, creating a small, targeted lesion that disrupts the abnormal tremor signals. Patients, who are awake during the procedure, notice an immediate effect. MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound is performed on an outpatient basis with no surgical cuts or implanted hardware, which greatly reduces infection risk and recovery time compared to traditional brain surgery.
“Reaching this milestone reflects the outstanding dedication of our movement disorders team, including both neurologists and neurosurgeons,” said William McAllister IV, M.D., neurosurgeon with Riverside Hampton Roads Neurosurgical & Spine Specialists and Service Line Chief for Neurosciences. “Together they have built a program that has grown into an integral part of the comprehensive neurosciences services we’re proud to offer our community.”
“My hand is steadier, so I am looking forward to things I’d been avoiding—like sharing a meal with friends or writing a quick note,” Debbie said. “It’s given me more confidence and hope for what’s ahead.”
Reaching the 100-patient milestone underscores Riverside’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, patient-centered neurological care to the communities it serves.
To learn more about MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound at Riverside, visit riversideonline.com/movementdisorders.