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

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