USE OF THE RADIONICS IMAGE FUSION(TM) AND STEREOPLAN(TM) PROGRAMS FORTARGET LOCALIZATION IN FUNCTIONAL NEUROSURGERY

We describe the use of Radionics Image Fusion(TM) and Stereoplan(TM) i n defining the target for thalamotomy and pallidotomy in functional su rgery for parkinsonism and tremor, Using this to fuse and spatially co rrect magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to computed tomography (CT) ima ges our calculated targets were a mean of 0.6 +/- 1.5 mm from the end target determined physiologically by stimulation. This is significantl y better than the values of 2.6 +/- 1.6 mm for thalamic targets and 7. 1 +/- 3.7 mm for pallidal targets using CT alone, As a consequence , d etermination of the target and the lesion making are routinely perform ed in one pass of the electrode allowing. for faster, more accurate an d, we believe, safer functional procedures. (C) Harcourt Brace & Co. L td 1998.