Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI)

Overview

At Mayo Clinic, experienced and highly trained surgeons use powerful, high-magnetic field, intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) scanners to remove brain tumors safely and effectively. Mayo Clinic's brain tumor treatment centers provide care for 4,000 patients each year, including nearly 130 children and adolescents.

At Mayo, surgeons use iMRI to view images of the patient's brain during surgery. Intraoperative MRI helps surgeons remove tumors without damaging other brain structures by allowing surgeons to view the brain accurately at all times. Intraoperative MRI helps surgeons identify the best course for tumor removal and confirm that that all of a tumor has been removed.

The use of iMRI reassures surgeons that the maximum amount of tumor that can be removed safely has been removed. This technique improves the safety and efficiency of the procedure and can help reduce the need for a patient to have a second surgery.

Mayo Clinic's iMRI is also used to place deep brain stimulator systems, medical devices implanted to send electric impulses to specific parts of the brain. Deep brain stimulator systems are often used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and neuro-psychiatric disorders. At Mayo, iMRI is also used to evaluate the extent of resection (surgical removal) of portions of the brain for the treatment of epilepsy.

Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons have performed computer-assisted brain surgery on thousands of patients. When appropriate, they combine awake brain surgery and deep brain stimulation with computer-assisted (iMRI) surgery to treat patients who have brain tumors and epilepsy. This unique approach combines advanced image-guidance systems to provide the safest possible techniques for removing tumors in critical areas of the brain.

Intraoperative MRI

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Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Neurology and Neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Treatment of Brain Tumors

Brain tumor tissue is often difficult to distinguish from normal brain tissue. In MRI-guided neurosurgery, Mayo physicians use real-time imaging from the scanner to distinguish between healthy brain issue and diseased tissue — the tumor — without compromising the patient's safety and care.

Intraoperative MRI is used for the removal of low-grade gliomas, tumors that typically blend into normal brain tissue. It is also used for pituitary tumor removal surgery, which is performed through a small tube with limited visibility. Learn more about brain tumor treatment at Mayo Clinic.

Learn more about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at www.MayoClinic.com.