Diffusion Tensor and Functional MRI Fusion with Anatomical MRI for Image-Guided Neurosurgery

Abstract
In order to achieve its main goal of maximal tumor removal while avoiding postoperative neurologic deficits, neuro-oncological surgery is strongly dependent on image guidance. Among all currently available imaging modalities, MRI provides the best anatomic detail and is highly sensitive for intracranial pathology. However, conventional MRI does not detect the exact location of white matter tracts or areas of cortical activation. This essential information can be obtained non-invasively by means of diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) respectively. Here we present our initial experience with fMRI and DT-MRI for surgical planning and guidance in ten brain tumor cases.

This image displays the cortical surface in transparent gray. Within the brain are shown fMRI activations in teal, arteries in red, tumor in bright green, and white matter fiber tracking in yellow.

Publications

Ion-Florin Talos, Lauren O'Donnell, Carl-Fredrik Westin, Simon K. Warfield, William Wells III, Seung-Schik Yoo, Lawrence P. Panych, Alexandra Golby, Hatsuho Mamata, Stefan S. Maier, Peter Ratiu, Charles R.G. Guttmann, Peter M. Black, Ferenc A. Jolesz and Ron Kikinis. Diffusion Tensor and Functional MRI Fusion with Anatomical MRI for Image-Guided Neurosurgery. Sixth International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention - MICCAI'03, LNCS 2878, 407-415, 2003.

Researchers