title: A Frameless Stereotactic Implantation Technique for Depth Electrodes in Refractory Epilepsy Using Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Various complex techniques for depth electrode insertion in refractory epilepsy using preoperative imaging have been investigated. We evaluated a simple, accurate, cost-effective, and timesaving method using intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A neuronavigation-guided insertion tube attached to bone facilitated the placement of stereotactic percutaneous drill holes, bolt implantation, and frameless stereotactic insertion of depth electrodes. Image registration was carried out by head coil fiducials with trajectory planning and intraoperative electrode correction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 6 patients with refractory epilepsy (3 women and 3 men; mean age, 30.0 years; range, 20-37 years), 58 depth electrodes (9-11 per patient) were placed. The mean length of the inserted electrodes was 37.3 mm ± 8.8 (mean ± SD) (range, 22.1-84.4 mm). The overall target point accuracy was 3.2 mm ± 2.2 (range, 0-8.6 mm), which was significantly different from the overall entry point accuracy of 1.4 mm ± 1.2 (P < 0.0001). All electrodes functioned perfectly, enabling high-quality stereo-electroencephalography recordings over a period of 7.3 days ± 0.5 (range, 7-8 days). The mean implantation time for 9-11 electrodes per patient was 115 minutes ± 36.3 (range, 75-160 minutes; 12 minutes for 1 electrode on average) including the intraoperative MRI (T1 three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo, T2, and diffusion tensor imaging). There was no hemorrhage, infection, or neurologic deficit related to the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our frameless technique of depth electrode insertion using intraoperative MRI guidance is an accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and timesaving method for stereo-electroencephalography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: karl.roessler@uk-erlangen.de.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roessler
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merkel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rampp
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gollwitzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hajo M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchfelder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000069279:Drug Resistant Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064795:Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depth electrode placement; Epilepsy surgery; Frameless stereotactic technique; Intraoperative MRI; Stereo-electroencephalography