The effectiveness of deep brain stimulation with intraoperative spatial mapping of subthalamic nucleus using intraoperative microrecording. Report of two cases

The aims of the study were to present the surgical technique of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) and to analyze our experience with the MedtronicStealthStation Treon neuronavigation system and Framelink 4.1 software in targeting STN using single-unit extracellular action potentials (microrecording). The prospective study included 2 patients with bilateral STN DBS. The STN boundaries were mapped using microrecording, without microstimulation and recording of kinesthetic cells. For macrostimulation the longest trajectory with neuronal activity characteristic of STN was chosen. The patients were assessed using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale UPDRS version 3 and Schwab and England Scale. Postoperatively we did not notice intracerebral haemorrhage. Also there were no transient or permanent side effects. The mean number of microelectrode tracts was 4 per STN. Framelink 4.1 software is reliable to plan individual microelectrode trajectories and help avoid the intraparenchymal vessels.