Exclusive in the region, this innovative technology can transform lives of people living with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (Jan. 6, 2025) – Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, now proudly part of Jefferson Health, today announced that it has begun treating patients living with medication-resistant essential tremor and some disabling Parkinson’s disease symptoms using focused ultrasound treatment. A first in the region, treatments are available at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, one of only two sites in Pennsylvania that offer this treatment. To date, five patients have been treated.

This innovative treatment uses sound waves to precisely remove deep brain targets without surgical incisions or burr holes. Each treatment is performed in a single session under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance for high-quality views of the patient’s anatomy. This allows precise targeting, real-time temperature monitoring and immediate confirmation of treatment outcomes. The result for many patients is immediate improvement of tremor with minimal complications.

“We are thrilled to be the first hospital in our region to offer this innovative procedure and transform the lives of those living with tremors,” said Steven Lewis, MD, Physician in Chief of Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute and Regional Chief, Lehigh Valley, of the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience. “This technology provides exciting opportunities for our neurosurgery team and allows us to continue to provide top-tier management options to our patients.”

The treatment is provided by functional neurosurgeons in collaboration with movement disorder neurologists. In addition to the team at Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, neurosurgeons from Jefferson Health’s Comprehensive Parkinson’s and Movements Disorders Center will start utilizing this treatment at LVH–Cedar Crest in the coming months.

“The launch of this leading-edge treatment highlights our shared commitment to our communities,” said Robert Rosenwasser, MD, MBA, CEO of the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Jefferson Health. “As Jefferson Health and LVHN continue to come together, I’m excited about expanding our capabilities for therapeutic intervention and research within our comprehensive neuroscience center.”

MR-guided focused ultrasound received additional approval by the FDA in 2022 to treat both sides of the body in essential tremor patients as the disease commonly affects more than one side of the body. Appropriate patients can have their second side treated at least nine months after treatment of the first side.

Prospective patients and referring physicians who are interested in this treatment can call 610-402-1055 to speak with a nurse navigator. For more information visit LVHN.org/FUS.

About Jefferson

Lehigh Valley Health Network is now proudly part of Jefferson Health. Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow’s professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, among the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

 

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Jamie Stover