Variations in determining actual orientations of segmented deep brain stimulation leads using the manually refined DiODe algorithm: a retrospective study across different lead designs and medical institutions

Purpose Directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads have become widely used in the past decade. Understanding the asymmetric stimulation provided by directional leads requires precise knowledge of the exact orientation of the lead in respect to its anatomical target. Recently, the DiODe algorithm was developed to automatically determine the orientation angle of leads from the artifact on postoperative computed tomography (CT) images. However, DiODe results are user-dependent. This study analyzed the significance of lead rotation as well as the user agreement of DiODe calculations across the two most common DBS systems and two independent medical institutions. Methods Data from 104 patients who underwent an anterior-facing unilateral/bilateral directional DBS implantation at either Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) or Albany Medical Center (AMC) were retrospectively analyzed. Actual orientations of the implanted leads were independently calculated by three individual users using the DiODe algorithm in Lead-DBS and patients’ postoperative CT images. Deviation from the intended orientation and user agreement were assessed. Results All leads significantly deviated from the intended 0° orientation (p<0.001), regardless of DBS lead design (p<0.05) or institution (p<0.05). However, a bias of the implantation towards a single direction was seen for the Boston Scientific leads (p=0.014 at NMH, p=0.029 at AMC). A difference of 10° between at least two users occurred in 28% (NMH) and 39% (AMC) of all Boston Scientific and 53% (AMC) and 76% (NMH) of all St. Jude leads. Conclusion Our results show that there is a significant lead rotation from the intended surgical orientation across both DBS systems and both medical institutions, however, a bias towards a single direction was only seen in Boston Scientific leads. Additionally, these results raise questions into the user error that occurs when manually refining the orientation angles calculated with DiODe.