Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus: histological verification and 9.4-T MRI correlation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) using an MRI-guided and MRI-verified technique without microelectrode recording is an effective and safe surgical treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the anatomical accuracy of lead placement after MRI-guided, MRI-verified STN DBS using post-mortem histology and high-field MRI at 9.4 T.

METHODS:

We conducted post-mortem analysis of a patient's brain who had had MRI-guided, MRI-verified STN DBS for PD, using 9.4-T MRI and histology. After death, the brain was retrieved and a block including the electrode tracks down to the mesencephalon was examined with high-field MRI at 9.4 T and histological analysis.

RESULTS:

High-field MRI images and corresponding histological examination showed that each electrode track ended within the intended target area, and that DBS did not cause significant neuroparenchymal tissue damage.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study supports the anatomical accuracy of the MRI-guided and MRI-verified method of STN DBS.

• Authors: Othman Al-Helli, David L Thomas, Luke Massey, Thomas Foltynie, Patricia Limousin, Janice L Holton, Tarek A Yousry, Ludvic Zrinzo
• Journal: Acta neurochirurgica (Acta Neurochir (Wien)) Vol. 157 Issue 12 Pg. 2143-7 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 0942-0940 [Electronic] Austria
• PMID: 26438227 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Aged
• Autopsy
• Deep Brain Stimulation (methods)
• Disease Progression
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Mesencephalon (pathology)
• Microelectrodes
• Middle Aged
• Parkinson Disease (pathology, therapy)
• Subthalamic Nucleus (pathology)