High-resolution 3-dimensional T2*-weighted angiography (HR 3-D SWAN): an optimized 3-T magnetic resonance imaging sequence for targeting the subthalamic nucleus.

Background: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is an established treatment for Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To characterize an optimized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence (high-resolution 3-dimensional T2*-weighted angiography [HR 3-D SWAN]) for direct STN targeting.

Methods: Sequence distortions were measured using the Leksell stereotactic phantom.