VIM Line Technique for Determining the Ventral Intermediate Location.

Aim: To prove that VIM line technique created by using a mathematical model, can be used to identify the location of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (VIM) MATERIAL and METHODS: Eleven patients with Parkinson?s disease (PD) were assessed. To determine the VIM location, 3-T magnetic resonance imaging and stereotactic protocol 128-slice computed tomography were used. The VIM line technique was performed by drawing a line from the end-point of the right external globus pallidus to that of the left external globus pallidus in the intercommissural plane. PD severity was measured using the Unified Parkinson?s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

Results: A mathematical model was constructed to describe the VIM line technique for determining the VIM location. UPDRS scores before and after thalamotomy showed a significant decreasing trend (p=0.003).

Conclusion: The VIM line technique using the mathematical model can be considered a referential method to determine the VIM location. Its effectiveness was demonstrated by decreased UPDRS scores in patients after VIM thalamotomy.