Hong Kong’s first MRI-guided ultrasound offers relief for Parkinson’s tremors

2026.03.22 23:50 Doctors at Tuen Mun Hospital have used MRI-guided ultrasound to ease Parkinson’s tremors for the first time in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout Tuen Mun Hospital has, for the first time in Hong Kong, used a non-invasive, MRI-guided ultrasound procedure to treat a Parkinson’s disease patient suffering from uncontrollable tremors, offering an alternative option for those affected by the condition. The hospital said it expected to provide the procedure to 40 patients within two years as part of further research into the new treatment. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive, incisionless procedure that uses MRI to guide ultrasound waves to destroy targeted areas of brain tissue. During the procedure, ultrasound beams pass through the scalp and skull to precisely remove targeted areas without harming the surrounding tissue. It is primarily used to treat essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Dr Jason Ho Man-kit, associate consultant in neurosurgery at Tuen Mun Hospital, said that compared with other treatment options, the MRgFUS procedure – which took about three hours – was non-invasive and produced immediate results. “We will look at the local data and the effect in patients, and gradually expand the treatment to benefit more patients with Parkinson’s disease,” he said. The first tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease patient to undergo the treatment was a 54-year-old man. He began developing hand tremors in 2021 before being diagnosed with the condition. The uncontrollable shaking forced him to stop working in 2024. (From left) Associate consultant Dr Mark Cheung Chi-fung, Dr Law Hing-yuen, Dr Jason Ho and Tuen Mun Hospital deputy chief executive Dr Benny Cheng Chun-pong. Photo: Handout After medication failed to produce results, the patient was referred to Tuen Mun Hospital, where he underwent the MRgFUS procedure on February 5. His tremors were immediately reduced, according to the hospital. Parkinson’s dise

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