Improved visibility of the subthalamic nucleus on high-resolution stereotactic MR imaging by added susceptibility (T2*) contrast using multiple gradient echoes.
Reliable identification of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a critical step in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease but difficult on T1-weighted stereotactic MR imaging. By simultaneous imaging of multiple gradient echoes, susceptibility contrast is added to conventional T1-weighted high-resolution MR image. Thus, the visibility of the STN is enhanced on a second co-localized dataset by exploiting the sensitivity of the T2*-relaxation to local iron deposits. The feasibility is underpinned by quantitative measurements on healthy adults.
Elolf
E
E
Department of Neuroradiology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Bockermann
V
V
Gringel
T
T
Knauth
M
M
Dechent
P
P
Helms
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*