Optimizing costs of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging. A series of 29 glioma cases.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to develop a method to reduce the costs of intraoperative high-field magnet resonance imaging (iMRI). The results of a series of 29 gliomas removed with this technique are presented.


METHODS
A series of 29 patients with brain gliomas were operated on using a low-cost method of high-field intraoperative MRI (Signa 1.5 T. MR Excite, GE Inc.). The patients were transported during surgery to the neuroradiological department through a specially located lift in order to perform the intraoperative examinations ("outside iMRI"). The time required for the procedure as well as the possible related complications, such as infection, were analyzed.


RESULTS
After studying the intraoperative images, additional tumor resection was needed in 12 of the 29 patients. The median time required to perform the iMRI was 25 min. There was no infection or other complications related to the procedure in this series.


CONCLUSIONS
This method offers all clinical advantages of high-field iMRI inside of the operating room, with very low costs and additional advantage of integrating the neurosurgical/ neuroradiological teams. This strategy will give an alternative to several neurosurgical departments in the world to perform high-quality iMRI at very low cost.
Ramina
Ricardo
R
Neurological Institute of Curitiba, R Jeremias Maciel Perretto 300, Curitiba, Brazil. ramina@inc-neuro.com.br
Coelho Neto
Mauricio
M
Giacomelli
Andre
A
Barros
Erasmo
E
Vosgerau
Ronaldo
R
Nascimento
Alessandra
A
Coelho
Gisele
G
D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000191:economics*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D038361:Neuronavigation; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods