Visualization of the Subthalamic Nuclei Using High-Resolution Susceptibility Mapping at 7T

Andreas Schfer¹, Birte U. Forstmann², Jane Neumann¹, Robert Turner¹

Deep brain stimulation targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an important treatment for Parkinson’s disease patients. The STN has been previously visualized at 3T and 7T using T2-weighted imaging, short inversion recovery sequences, phase imaging or susceptibility-weighted imaging, but contrast is inadequate or misleading, and the STN's borders are poorly defined. Here we used high-resolution phase imaging at 7T to calculate susceptibility maps of the STN and its surrounding areas. These show far clearer visualization of the STN, with excellent discrimination from the adjacent substantia nigra.