A simple method to assess accuracy of deep brain stimulation electrode placement: pre-operative stereotactic CT + postoperative MR image fusion.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a method for the measurement of the accuracy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode placement with the use of image fusion technologies.


METHODS
Ten consecutive patients suffering from movement disorders underwent DBS electrode placement. Postoperative MR images were fused with the pre-operative stereotactic CT. The placement error in the anteroposterior, lateral and vertical planes was calculated.


RESULTS
The anteroposterior mean error +/- SD was 0.61 +/- 0.22 mm (range 0.2-0.9 mm). The lateral mean error +/- SD was 0.65 +/- 0.27 mm (range 0.2-2.2 mm). The vertical mean error +/- SD was 0.82 +/- 0.31 mm (range 0.3-1.6 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
This technique provides a simple and precise method for the evaluation of the accuracy of DBS electrode placement.
Department of Neurosurgery, Istituto Nazionale Neurologico 'C. Besta', Milan, Italy.
Paolo
P
Ferroli
Angelo
A
Franzini
Carlo
C
Marras
Elio
E
Maccagnano
Ludovico
L
D'Incerti
Giovanni
G
Broggi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*