• Karl Roessler, Björn Sommer, Andreas Merkel, Stefan Rampp, Stephanie Gollwitzer, Hajo M Hamer, and Michael Buchfelder.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: karl.roessler@uk-erlangen.de.
• World Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 1; 94: 206-210.

ObjectiveVarious complex techniques for depth electrode insertion in refractory epilepsy using preoperative imaging have been investigated. We evaluated a simple, accurate, cost-effective, and timesaving method using intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsA neuronavigation-guided insertion tube attached to bone facilitated the placement of stereotactic percutaneous drill holes, bolt implantation, and frameless stereotactic insertion of depth electrodes. Image registration was carried out by head coil fiducials with trajectory planning and intraoperative electrode correction.ResultsIn 6 patients with refractory epilepsy (3 women and 3 men; mean age, 30.0 years; range, 20-37 years), 58 depth electrodes (9-11 per patient) were placed. The mean length of the inserted electrodes was 37.3 mm ± 8.8 (mean ± SD) (range, 22.1-84.4 mm). The overall target point accuracy was 3.2 mm ± 2.2 (range, 0-8.6 mm), which was significantly different from the overall entry point accuracy of 1.4 mm ± 1.2 (P < 0.0001). All electrodes functioned perfectly, enabling high-quality stereo-electroencephalography recordings over a period of 7.3 days ± 0.5 (range, 7-8 days). The mean implantation time for 9-11 electrodes per patient was 115 minutes ± 36.3 (range, 75-160 minutes; 12 minutes for 1 electrode on average) including the intraoperative MRI (T1 three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo, T2, and diffusion tensor imaging). There was no hemorrhage, infection, or neurologic deficit related to the procedure.ConclusionsOur frameless technique of depth electrode insertion using intraoperative MRI guidance is an accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and timesaving method for stereo-electroencephalography.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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