Intensity-based 2D 3D registration for lead localization in robot guided deep brain stimulation.

Intraoperative assessment of lead localization has become a standard procedure during deep brain stimulation surgery in many centers, allowing immediate verification of targeting accuracy and, if necessary, adjustment of the trajectory. The most suitable imaging modality to determine lead positioning, however, remains controversially discussed. Current approaches entail the implementation of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Tractography-guided stimulation of somatosensory fibers for thalamic pain relief.

Background: The spinothalamocortical tract (STC) is seen as a neural tract responsible for or involved in the generation or transmission of thalamic pain. Either the thalamus itself or the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) are targets for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with thalamic pain, but due to its low contrast, conventional MRI cannot visualize the STC directly.

Objectives: To show the feasibility of integrating diffusion tensor imaging-based tractography into the stereotactic treatment planning for identification of an object-oriented lead trajectory that allows STC-DBS with multiple electrode contacts.

Accuracy and reproducibility of a novel semi-automatic segmentation technique for MR volumetry of the pituitary gland.

Introduction: Although several reports about volumetric determination of the pituitary gland exist, volumetries have been solely performed by indirect measurements or manual tracing on the gland's boundaries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of a novel semi-automatic MR-based segmentation technique.

Methods: In an initial technical investigation, T1-weighted 3D native magnetised prepared rapid gradient echo sequences (1.

Multimodal localization of electrodes in deep brain stimulation: comparison of stereotactic CT and MRI with teleradiography.

Objective: In cross-sectional imaging, like CT or MRI, electrodes for deep brain stimulation are visualized by an artifact, which can differ from the real physical size of the electrode and even have an asymmetric appearance on MRI. The accuracy of such artifact-based estimation of the real position of the electrode using CT or MRI is investigated here. Stereotactic teleradiography was used as the gold standard.