Thalamotomy

Thalamotomy is a brain surgery procedure that involves the destruction of a specific portion of the thalamus, a structure in the brain that helps regulate movement, emotions, and sensation. In patients with movement disorders or severe pain that has not responded to non-surgical treatments, thalamotomy can provide symptom relief. The procedure is normally done with the patient under general anesthesia, and involves the destruction of a small region of the thalamus using either radiofrequency (RF) ablation or a lesion-producing device such as a gamma knife. Physicians may use imaging techniques such as CT or MRI to precisely locate the target area of the brain. Thalamotomy can provide effective relief for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, chronic pain, and other movement disorders.