Direct targeting of the thalamic anteroventral nucleus for deep brain stimulation by T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T.
BACKGROUND
The thalamic anteroventral nucleus (AV) is a promising target structure for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients suffering from refractory epilepsy. Direct visualization of the AV would improve spatial accuracy in functional stereotactic neurosurgery for treatment of this disease.


METHODS
On 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), acquisition parameters were adjusted for optimal demarcation of the AV in 1 healthy subject. Reliability of AV visualization was then evaluated in 5 healthy individuals and 3 patients with refractory epilepsy.


RESULTS
In all individuals, an adjusted T1-weighted sequence allowed for demarcation of the AV. It was clearly distinguishable from hyperintense myelin-rich lamellae surrounding it ventrally and laterally and appeared hypo-intense compared to the adjacent thalamic nuclei. Image resolution and contrast facilitated direct stereotactic targeting of the AV prior to DBS surgery in all 3 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct targeting of the AV can be achieved, which has immediate implications for the accuracy of MRI-guided DBS in patients with refractory epilepsy.
Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
Lars
L
Buentjen
Klaus
K
Kopitzki
Friedhelm C
FC
Schmitt
Juergen
J
Voges
Claus
C
Tempelmann
Joern
J
Kaufmann
Martin
M
Kanowski
D000328:Adult; D020643:Anterior Thalamic Nuclei / Q000473:pathology*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques