Use of intraoperative MRI for resection of gliomas.
Literature has shown that extent of tumor resection has an impact on quality of life and survival of patients with gliomas. Intraoperative MRI has been used to increase resection while preserving procedure's safety.


METHODS
The first five patients with gliomas operated on at the University of São Paulo using intraoperative MRI are reported. All but one patient had Karnofsky Performance Status of 100% before surgery. Presentation symptoms were progressive headache, seizures, behavior disturbance, one instance of hemianopsia, and another of hemiparesis.


RESULTS
Gross total removal was achieved in two patients. Surgical resection was limited by tumor invasion of critical areas like the internal capsule or the mesencephalon in the remaining patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-operative MRI is an important tool that helps surgeons to remove glial tumors, however, knowledge of physiology and functional anatomy is still fundamental to avoid morbidity.
Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
Hector Navarro
HN
Cabrera
Antonio Nogueira de
AN
Almeida
Clemar Corrêa da
CC
Silva
Erich Talamoni
ET
Fonoff
Maria das Graças
Md
Martin
Claudia da Costa
Cda C
Leite
Manoel Jacobsen
MJ
Teixeira
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005910:Glioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome