Deformable Anatomic Templates Embed Knowledge Into Brain Images: Part 2. Validation Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Motor Hand

Abstract

This study evaluated the concordance between the Deformable Anatomic Template (DAT)–identified origin of motor hand fibers and localization of the motor cortex of the hand by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Preoperative fMRI during hand motor tasks was performed on 36 hemispheres in 26 patients with gliomas in or near eloquent areas. Reformatted volume-rendered surface images were labeled with the DAT’s hand motor fibers and fMRI data. Five reviewers assessed the data for concordance.

Available fMRI data were diagnostically usable in 92% (33/36 analyzed hemispheres), with DAT anatomic accuracy in the remaining cases. The DAT prediction and fMRI findings were concordant in all 9 normal hemispheres and in 20 (83%) of 24 glioma-bearing hemispheres. The 4 discordant cases resulted from substantial mass effect by large frontal tumors.

This study validated DAT’s anatomic atlas and alignment process for the expected position of the motor cortex of the hand.