Cutting-Edge Procedure Significantly Improves
Quality of Life for Patients with Debilitating Tremor
UCF Lake Nona Medical Center announced today it is the first hospital in Central Florida to provide incisionless brain surgery to treat essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease unable to be controlled with medication.
Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive, neurological disease characterized by tremor, most often of the hands or arms, which can make daily activities challenging. Nearly 10 million Americans are estimated to have ET, which is 10 times the number of people living with Parkinson’s disease. Tremors are the primary symptom that has the most severe impact on the daily activities of Parkinson’s patients, with about 10 percent of patients experiencing them.
Using focused ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the innovative, scalpel-free therapy directs targeted sound wave energy deep into the brain, treating the tissue that causes a tremor. No surgical incision or anesthesia are required, and many patients experience immediate improvement with minimal complications reported.
“For patients who qualify, MR-guided focused ultrasound provides an incisionless treatment option, performed on an outpatient basis with short recovery time and often immediate results,” said Dr. Nizam Razack, MD, JD, FAANS, FACS, neurosurgeon at UCF Lake Nona Medical Center. “Not only are we the first hospital in Central Florida to offer focused ultrasound for essential tremor, we’re also one of the very few centers nationally capable of providing the procedure. By expanding access to this treatment here in our region, we can help restore independence and provide relief for individuals suffering from debilitating and progressive tremors.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this procedure in 2016 as an alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS), a more invasive form of treatment. MR-guided focused ultrasound benefits include:
• Substantial and nearly instant reduction in hand tremors
• Reduced risk of infection, as the outpatient procedure is incisionless
• Quicker recovery time with patients returning to daily activities within days
“When we opened UCF Lake Nona Medical Center in March, we made a commitment to the residents of Lake Nona and surrounding communities to not only increase access to excellent, patient-centered care in the region, but also to bring innovative technology, treatments and tools to Greater Orlando,” said Wendy Brandon, CEO of UCF Lake Nona Medical Center. “The launch of our incisionless brain surgery program demonstrates that commitment. We are proud to bring this revolutionary procedure to Central Florida and look forward to the tremendous impact it will have on improving the lives of our patients.”
To learn more, please visit ucflakenonamedicalcenter.com/service/neurological-services.
About UCF Lake Nona Medical Center
Located in the heart of Orlando’s Medical City, UCF Lake Nona Medical Center is a 64-bed, full-service medical and surgical acute care hospital serving Lake Nona and surrounding communities in Orange and Osceola counties. UCF Lake Nona Medical Center offers 24/7 emergency care, luxury family birthing units, inpatient and outpatient surgery including minimally invasive and robotic technology, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and a cardiac catheterization lab. The hospital employs the latest innovative solutions and life-saving technology, including non-invasive focused ultrasound incisionless brain surgery for the treatment of debilitating tremors and Parkinson’s disease. UCF Lake Nona Medical Center is a partnership between UCF Academic Health and HCA Healthcare North Florida Division. HCA Healthcare is one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services comprising more than 186 hospitals and 2,000+ sites of care in 21 states and the United Kingdom. HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division – Orlando Market includes five hospitals: Central Florida Regional Hospital (with Level II Trauma Center) in Sanford, Oviedo Medical Center, Osceola Regional Medical Center (with Level II Trauma Center), Poinciana Medical Center, and UCF Lake Nona Medical Center, as well as four freestanding emergency rooms and numerous physician practices.
About the HCA Healthcare North Florida Division
The HCA Healthcare North Florida Division is a comprehensive network of 15 hospitals, numerous outpatient surgery centers & imaging facilities, physician practices, medical education training programs and a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses in the North Florida and Central Florida communities. HCA Healthcare North Florida physicians and employees continue to provide the quality foundation for delivering care to our patients safely, effectively and compassionately. Its hospitals are Joint Commission Accredited, with designations such as Accredited Chest Pain Centers, Primary Stroke Center Certification and four Level II Trauma Centers in Marion, Okaloosa, Osceola and Seminole county.
