Precise implantation of deep brain stimulation devices in Parkinson, primary dystonia or epilepsy patients requires precise structural information about the thalamic region. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the capability of DWI in identifying thalamic substructures. Eight healthy volunteers underwent ultra-high b-value DWI (5000 s/mm2) at 3T. Images were denoised using total generalized variation and 7 substructures (Pulvinar and six nuclei) within the thalamus were drawn in and compared to histological atlases. In all volunteers, all seven structures could be identified due to signal intensities. High b-value diffusion weighted imaging therefore shows great potential in determining thalamic substructures.
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