Abstract Details

Title The Efficacy and Safety of MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound for Primary Dystonia: A Systematic Review

Topic Movement Disorders

Presentation(s) P7 - Poster Session 7 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 16-014

Objective This review aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of MRI guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for adults with medication refractory primary dystonia and to identify key gaps in the current evidence.

Background Primary dystonia that does not respond to pharmacological therapy or botulinum toxin injections presents a major therapeutic challenge. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) remains the established surgical option, yet it is invasive and not suitable for all patients. MRI guided focused ultrasound is a noninvasive lesioning technique that has shown potential in other movement disorders, but its role in primary dystonia has not been clearly defined.

Design/Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to August 2025 for studies reporting clinical outcomes of MRgFUS in adults with primary dystonia. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality using the ROBINS I tool and JBI checklists. Due to heterogeneity in lesion targets, outcomes, and follow up, results were synthesized narratively.

Results Seven studies involving 25 patients were identified. Lesion targets included thalamic nuclei (VIM, VOP, Vo) and the globus pallidus/pallidothalamic tract. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. In cervical dystonia (n=14), TWSTRS severity scores improved by 70.6%-86%. In focal hand dystonia (n=11), mean WCRS improvement was 71.4%. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient; however, persistent deficits such as dysarthria and sensory disturbance were reported, as was a symptom recurrence rate of 30% in one study.

Conclusions Current evidence, though limited by small sample sizes and methodological variability, suggests MRgFUS offers meaningful clinical benefit for refractory focal dystonia with an acceptable safety profile. Larger controlled studies are warranted to validate efficacy, refine optimal lesion targets, and determine long-term outcomes. MRgFUS may emerge as a non-invasive alternative to DBS for carefully selected patients. Check accurately if these statements, numbers, matches with our original version and included studies.

Authors/Disclosures
Meet Kachhadia, MBBS PRESENTER	Dr. Kachhadia has nothing to disclose.
Neel K. Parikh	Mr. Parikh has nothing to disclose.
Bharat Parmar (Zydus Medical College and Hospital, Dahod)	No disclosure on file
Anagha Shree	No disclosure on file
Asiya Tasleema Shaik, MBBS	Miss Shaik has nothing to disclose.
Sara S	Sara S has nothing to disclose.
Anis Shaikh (Zydus Medical College and Hospital Dahod)	No disclosure on file
Sanjana Palakodeti	Sanjana Palakodeti has nothing to disclose.
Anjana C. Elapolu (Texila American University)	No disclosure on file

��ɫ��

��ɫ��