Stereotactic targeting of the ventrointermediate nucleus of the thalamus by direct visualization with high-field MRI.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of high-field MRI to consistently produce high-resolution, anatomical images of the thalamic ventrointermediate nucleus (Vim) suitable for stereotactic targeting.


METHODS
MR images of the thalamus of patients treated for essential tremor were acquired prior to treatment using a 3-tesla MR system. Similar images were acquired in 6 volunteers using, for comparison, both a 1.5-tesla and a 3.0-tesla system.


RESULTS
The thalamic Vim was clearly and consistently delineated on the 3-tesla images. These images were successfully used for target localization in essential tremor patients. In the volunteers data, images acquired using the 1.5-tesla system were inferior to those acquired using the 3-tesla system, lacking the ability to consistently provide reliably defined borders of the Vim.


CONCLUSIONS
3-Tesla MRI can provide high-quality depiction of the Vim, potentially enabling accurate treatment planning by direct visualization and definition of the targeted Vim.
Spiegelmann
Roberto
R
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Spiegel@sheba.health.gov.il
Nissim
Ouzi
O
Daniels
Diana
D
Ocherashvilli
Aharon
A
Mardor
Yael
Y
D000328:Adult; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D020651:Ventral Thalamic Nuclei / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery