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A comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography for stereotactic coordinate determination
D Kondziolka1, P K Dempsey, L D Lunsford
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
Neurosurgery
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spatial accuracy is suitable for stereotactic surgery, despite potential magnetic susceptibility artifacts. MRI-guided localization offers reliable stereotactic coordinates comparable to computed tomography (CT) for various procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
Background:
- The spatial accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for stereotactic surgery remains unestablished.
- Magnetic susceptibility artifacts in MRI can cause anatomical distortion and inaccurate stereotactic coordinates, particularly for off-center brain targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of stereotactic coordinates determined by MRI versus computed tomography (CT) in patients undergoing stereotactic procedures.
Main Methods:
- Compared stereotactic coordinates from MRI and CT in 41 patients (53 targets).
- Measured coordinates in each plane and as vector distances from the target to the stereotactic frame center.
- Analyzed discrepancies based on target location (central vs. peripheral) and imaging modality.
Main Results:
- Average absolute axial plane differences between MRI and CT were 2.13 +/- 1.59 mm.
- Mean differences in X and Y dimensions were 1.19 mm and 1.55 mm, respectively.
- Target location (central vs. peripheral) did not significantly impact MRI-CT coordinate differences; MRI field strength (0.5 vs. 1.5 T) also showed no correlation with accuracy.
Conclusions:
- MRI-guided stereotactic localization demonstrates sufficient accuracy for most diagnostic, functional, and therapeutic stereotactic neurosurgical procedures.
- While minor discrepancies exist between MRI and CT, they are often within the margin of error for target selection.
- Confidence in using MRI for stereotactic localization is warranted, given its superior multiplanar resolution compared to CT.