Accuracy of SEEG Electrodes Implanted in Lateral Position Versus Supine Position

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION Accuracy during SEEG implantations is critical as several electrodes will cross narrow corridors between cerebral blood vessels. Previous studies have compared the accuracy of different techniques such as frame-based, frameless, and robot-assisted implantations and overall SEEG has been reported to be quite safe, with a major complication incidence of less than 1%. Typically, the supine position is utilized for implantation; however, the lateral position may be more comfortable and ergonomic for trajectories with a posterior entry point (eg, posterior approach to the insula). To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the accuracy of SEEG electrodes implanted in supine position vs lateral position. METHODS About 22 patients who underwent SEEG electrode implantation using Leksell frame fixation and Neuromate robot were included in this study and clustered according to the supine (n = 11) or lateral (n = 11) position. A total of 284 electrodes (Supine: n = 139; Lateral: n = 145) were analyzed. Postoperative Oarm images were co-registered with the preoperative plan on Voxim software. Cartesian coordinates of the entry point (EP) and target point (TP) were obtained from the planned trajectory and the implanted electrode. Three-dimensional error (Euclidian distance) and radial error for EP and TP were calculated. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare lateral versus supine group. RESULTS Radial errors were similar between both groups. EP three-dimensional error was higher in the lateral position group (1.3 mm vs 1.7 mm, P = .004), whereas TP three-dimensional error was higher in the supine position group (2.9 mm vs 1.8 mm, P < .001). CONCLUSION SEEG electrode implantation using frame-based fixation and robot-assisted technique in the lateral position has similar accuracy compared to implantation in the supine position.