A new multimodality correlative imaging technique for VOP/VIM (VL) thalamotomy procedures

This paper describes our experience at Mayo Clinic with a new technique for planning ventro-oralis posterior (VOP) ventral intermediate (ventrolateral) VIM (VL) thalamotomy procedures for selected patients with medically intractable tremor. This new method employs a multimodality correlative imaging technique for determining the lesion target point on MR images. At surgery, stereotactic frame settings for the final lesion target were ultimately determined by stereotactic ventriculography modified by neurophysiological recording. Acceptable correlation was found between the multimodality correlative imaging method and the actual target coordinates determined by ventriculography and semi-microelectrode recording.