The overall safety profile of magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy supports its role as a new option for patients with medically refractory essential tremor (ET), a recent study found. Researchers sought to determine the safety profile of magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound unilateral thalamotomy for ET, including frequency, and severity of adverse events, including serious adverse events. 186 patients and 5 studies were included in an analysis of safety data. They found:

• Procedure‐related serious adverse events were very infrequent (1.6%), without intracerebral hemorrhages or infections.
• Adverse events were usually transient and were commonly rated as mild (79%) and rarely severe (1%).
• As previously reported, abnormalities in sensation and balance were the commonest thalamotomy‐related adverse events.