Intraoperative MRI

What it is

Intraoperative MRI is the use of an MRI scanner during the surgery itself to check, in real time, how much tumor has been removed and how much remains. If residual tumor is found that can be safely removed, the surgeon can continue during the same operation, helping achieve more complete removal.

Understanding Intraoperative MRI

A challenge in glioma surgery is knowing exactly how much tumor remains during the operation, since the brain can shift and infiltrating tumor can be hard to distinguish from normal tissue. Intraoperative MRI addresses this by allowing a scan during surgery: after the surgeon has removed what appears to be the tumor, an MRI can reveal any remaining tumor that is safe to remove, prompting further resection before the operation is finished. This can increase the extent of safe removal (which is associated with better outcomes) and update the navigation for brain shift. Intraoperative MRI requires specialized facilities and adds time, so it is available at certain centers and used in selected cases. It is one of several tools that enhance the completeness and safety of glioma surgery. Understanding intraoperative MRI in gliomas clarifies how real-time imaging helps maximize safe tumor removal.

Why it matters

Understanding intraoperative MRI helps patients and families see how scanning during surgery can increase safe tumor removal — revealing residual tumor that can be removed in the same operation, when this technology is available.