A Modified Technique for Interventional MRI-Guided Deep Brain Stimulation Using the ClearPoint System

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is increasingly performed using imaging-based techniques, which are rapidly evolving to minimize invasiveness and use limited resources efficiently.

To describe a modified surgical technique for interventional MRI-guided stereotactic procedures using ClearPoint.

A total of 160 consecutive DBS cases for Parkinson disease (48%), essential tremor (44%), dual essential tremor/Parkinson disease (3%), and dystonia (5%) were studied. Technique modifications included (1) preplanning the target/trajectory, (2) adoption of a smaller incision and new stereotactic frame, (3) changing the sequence of surgical steps, aiming to final target PRIOR to drilling, (4) reducing burr hole size, (5) minimizing dural opening, and (6) anchoring leads with a bio cement/plate combination in lieu of commercial devices. Demographic data, radial error, number of passes, and case time were prospectively collected while complications and clinical outcomes were retrospectively assessed.

One hundred and forty seven DBS patients had 262 total leads placed. Average radial error was 0.41 mm bilaterally. Seventy nine leads had error <0.2 mm; 6 leads had error >1 mm. Pin-to-stylet insertion time, pin-to-frame removal time, and pin-to-room departure time were 2 hours 1 minute, 2 hours 48 minutes, and 3 hours 16 minutes, respectively, and were significantly shorter than those obtained with the original ClearPoint technique for our first 150 DBS cases ( P < .0001). Complications included infection with hardware removal (2.5%) and superficial hemorrhage without permanent neurological sequelae (1.9%).

The modified ClearPoint technique maintains accuracy while reducing invasiveness and MRI time. This workflow can be expanded to other applications, including laser interstitial thermal therapy and gene delivery.