Magnetic resonance imaging use in pediatric deep brain stimulation: a systematic review and call for standardization

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established therapy for adult neurological disorders, most commonly Parkinson's disease, and is increasingly being explored for medically refractory conditions in the pediatric population. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is essential for DBS safety and efficacy through precise surgical targeting and trajectory planning, yet MRI protocols and reporting vary substantially and are constrained by pediatric-specific considerations. We aimed to systematically characterize MRI use and reporting practices in pediatric DBS studies and clinical trial registries.

We systematically reviewed the published literature and the clinical trials registry to characterize MRI use in pediatric patients undergoing DBS, identify common imaging practices, and evaluate reporting of MRI sequence parameters (e.g., TR, TE).

Preoperative MRI was primarily used for anatomical targeting and surgical planning. Most studies used 1.5T scanners (86%) versus 3T (14%), with T1-weighted (54%) and T2-weighted (53%) sequences most common. Despite MRI's ubiquity, 78% of studies did not report sequence parameters. However, only 4% were published in imaging-related specialty journals, which may explain the limited methodological detail.

gov data reflected the same pattern, where DBS trials that mention imaging, rarely specify sequences or acquisition parameters.

Heterogeneous MRI protocols and frequent under-reporting limit reproducibility and comparison of targeting approaches across pediatric DBS studies. We advocate for standardized MRI reporting guidelines to strengthen methodological rigour and accelerate collaborative progress in pediatric DBS research.