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During a FIGS procedure, fMRI is used to map the functional
area of a patient's brain. While the MRI is scanning,
the patient is asked to perform a series of activities
and movements, such as reading a list or tapping fingers.
The areas of the brain that correlate to those movements
"light up" on the scan and create an image. This information
is sent to a surgical navigation computer located in
the operating room. Neurosurgeons use a special pointer
positioned on the patient’s head to guide incisions,
skull openings, and brain tumors based on corresponding
points of the MRI image. The added degree of precision
in guidance and navigation provided by this technique
maximizes tumor resection while minimizing the possibility
of weakness, blindness, and speech loss.
| This image shoes a pre-operative
MRI of a 48-year-old woman with a single metastic
tumor from a small lung cancer. |
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Using the Stealth Station, the
fMR shows the location of the visual cortex which
is a distance away from the tumor. |
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Brain
Tumor Treatments
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