Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) in neurosurgery. A radiological point of view

In the 1990ies MRT has reached increasing importance for surgery planning and control of the resection level in neurosurgery. For the planning of guided and stereotactic neurosurgery3D MRT data sets of the brain were recorded. Contrast media filled markers at the head surface allow an accurate spatial localization of the lesion in the brain and help the direct neurological access. The range of applications has recently extended with respect to intraoperative MRT (iMRT) in neurosurgery, to avoid the difficult distinction between low-level gliomas and healthy tissue, esp in case on intact blood-brain barrier. The largest restriction for iMRT application is the high extent of time personnel and cost.