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RSNA News - October 2004
A press release has been sent to the medical news media for the following scientific article appearing in the October 2004 issue of Radiology (rsna.org/radiologyjnl): "Intraoperative High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Implementation and Experience with the First 200 Patients"Intraoperative imaging with simultaneous neuronavigational guidance can be successfully integrated in the operating environment. Christopher Nimsky, M.D., and colleagues from the University Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany incorporated a 1.5 T MR scanner, equipped with a rotating operating table, in a radiofrequency-shielded operating theater. A navigation microscope placed in the 5 G zone in combination with a ceiling mounted navigation system enabled integrated microscope-based neuronavigation. After studying 200 patients undergoing brain surgery, mainly for gliomas and pituitary tumors, the researchers found that intraoperative MR imaging provided valuable information about the extent of a resection, allowing an intraoperative modification of the surgical strategy. "Careful consideration of the indications for use of this complex and expensive technology, accurate cost-benefit analyses and investigations into the long-term effects of intraoperative MR imaging, especially with respect to tumor recurrence and, in gliomas, time to progression, as well as life expectancy, will be essential in the near future," the researchers write. They add that intraoperative high-field MR imaging could also become an important part of vascular surgery, spinal surgery and robot-assisted surgery.
RSNA press releases are available at www2.rsna.org/pr/pr1.cfm.
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