Essential tremors 'vanish' after life-changing procedure at LI hospital
MANHASSET, Long Island (WABC) -- It's been nearly two months since James Broten had a life-changing procedure at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset to help alleviate the effects of his essential tremor diagnosis.
He underwent a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a procedure circumvents surgery. Dr. Albert Fenoy, of Northwell Health Functional Neurosurgery, says the "ultrasound beams through the skull to create a lesion in the brain."
That lesion blocks a pathway in the brain that can trigger severe tremors. Broten, 77, has battled the nervous system disorder for years.
"It's embarrassing in many cases," he told Eyewitness News, saying that the condition can create uneasy moments while driving or eating.
During the hour and a half procedure, which is guided by an MRI, Broten stays awake, listening to a playlist of songs curated by Fenoy to keep it lively. It takes several tries to zero in and heat up the precise spot.
"It's really just amazing how the tremor just...vanishes," said Fenoy. "Most patients, I'd say over 95% have a greater than 90% reduction of their tremor."
Broten's condition affects about 10 million people nationally. Many of them don't realize that HIFU is an option. It is also used for people suffering with tremors from Parkinson's disease.
HIFU is FDA approved and covered by insurance. Broten was the 100th patient to be treated by HIFU at North Shore University Hospital.
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