title: An integrated multipurpose lesion-making electrode.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although excellent results are reported from centers using microelectrode mapping during stereotactic pallidotomy, the recording methods used are time-consuming and technically cumbersome. We sought to develop a new electrode concept that may, when eventually applied in clinical practice, improve the efficiency and safety of microelectrode-guided functional neurosurgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The scout electrode uses a recently developed research technique for simultaneously obtaining multiple microelectrode recordings along the shaft of a macroelectrode.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  By positioning recording sites on either side of a lesion-making contact, it is possible to functionally "scout" the brain tissue surrounding the proposed lesion site, thus eliminating the need for serial movements and electrode interchanges.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The feasibility of the scout electrode concept was tested using prototypes placed into cat medial geniculate nucleus. High-quality unit recordings were simultaneously obtained from different regions within the medial geniculate nucleus. This ability to physiologically map sites above and below the lesion-making contact facilitated precise placement of radiofrequency lesions in the center of the medial geniculate nucleus. These results suggest that it may be possible to develop clinically useful devices based on this novel concept.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirsky
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Abkes
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Volkov
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002415:Cats; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*