MR Susceptibility Imaging with a Short TE (MR-SISET): A Clinically Feasible Technique to Resolve Thalamic Nuclei

S. Chung; P. Storey; T.M. Shepherd; Y.W. Lui

doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6683

American Journal of Neuroradiology

Abstract

SUMMARY: The thalamus consists of several functionally distinct nuclei, some of which serve as targets for functional neurosurgery. Visualization of such nuclei is a major challenge due to their low signal contrast on conventional imaging. We introduce MR susceptibility imaging with a short TE, leveraging susceptibility differences among thalamic nuclei, to automatically delineate 15 thalamic subregions. The technique has the potential to enable direct targeting of thalamic nuclei for functional neurosurgical guidance.

ABBREVIATIONS:

MR-SISET: MR susceptibility imaging with a short TE
STh: subthalmic
CM: centromedian

Footnotes

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health R01 NS039135-11, R21 NS090349, P41 EB017183; and the Leon Lowenstein Foundation.
Disclosures: Sohae Chung—RELATED: Grant: National Institutes of Health R01 NS039135-11, R21 NS090349, P41 EB017183.* Pippa Storey—RELATED: Grant: National Institutes of Health.* Timothy M. Shepherd—UNRELATED: Stock/Stock Options: Microstructure Imaging, Comments: founder and equity for startup, no money has been paid to me or my institution. Yvonne W. Lui—RELATED: Grant: National Institutes of Health*; UNRELATED: Grants/Grants Pending: Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Department of Defense.* *Money paid to the institution.