title: Optimized 3D magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient echo: identification of thalamus substructures at 3T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because the substructures of the thalamus are not visible on standard T1- and T2-weighted MR images, planning of deep brain stimulation implantation relies on stereotactic atlas coordinates. The goal of the present work was to test whether an optimized 3D MPRAGE protocol can depict thalamus substructures.
  
  
  METHODS
  After optimization of the TI to maximize contrast between gray matter and white matter, 6 healthy subjects were scanned at 3T with the optimized 3D MPRAGE. The results were compared with stereotactic atlases, and 2 expert readers trained in thalamic anatomy identified the 4 large thalamic nuclei groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a high agreement between the different atlases and the resulting MR images. The 4 large thalamic nuclei groups (anterior, lateral, medial, posterior) could be detected reliably. The inter-reader consistency on the size and location was 75%-92%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimized 3D MPRAGE protocol improves contrast in the thalamus, and the 4 large thalamic nuclei groups can be identified with high inter-reader agreement.
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. benjamin.bender@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bender
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Mänz
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Korn
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Nägele
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Klose
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*