Focused Ultrasound Pallidothalamic Tractotomy in Cervical Dystonia: A Pilot Study

Background No clinical trials have been reported on the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) for treating cervical dystonia. Objective We aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of FUS pallidothalamic tractotomy for cervical dystonia. Methods This was a prospective, open‐label, non‐controlled pilot study. The primary outcome was defined as a change in the score for the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) from baseline to 6 months after FUS pallidothalamic tractotomy. The secondary outcomes included a change in the neck scale for the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), mood scales including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Apathy Evaluating Scale (AES), and adverse events. Patients were assessed for TWSTRS, BFMDRS, and adverse events at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. BDI, BAI, and AES were assessed at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Results Ten patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of onset of dystonia was 51.6 ± 10.2 years. The TWSTRS at 6 months (29.9 ± 16.0, range: 3–55) was significantly improved by 43.4% (P