Intraoperative MRI/CT (Imaging During Surgery)

An auxiliary technology that allows the surgeon to see the status of the work by performing real-time MRI or CT scans in the operating room during brain and spinal surgeries.

Book an Appointment WhatsApp

H23 Topic Guide

Surgical Technology

This hub page brings together 3 conditions under Surgical Technology. Use it to move from overview content to the relevant disease detail pages.

Open topic guide

1Overview

Quick and clear information for patients

What is this Condition?

Intraoperative MRI (MRI during surgery) and intraoperative CT (CT during surgery) are advanced technologies that allow image acquisition in the operating room while the patient is on the operating table during brain and spinal surgeries. Normally, MRI and CT are performed before or after surgery; in these systems, images can be obtained while surgery is still ongoing. This allows the surgeon to, for example, check how much of a brain tumor has been removed before the surgery is complete, see remaining fragments and intervene in the same surgery, or immediately verify that screws placed in the spine are in the correct position. Since the brain can shift slightly during surgery, this imaging helps keep navigation system accuracy up to date. It is not a treatment, but an auxiliary tool that supports surgery and contributes to its safety.

Symptoms

In brain tumor surgeries, to check how much of the tumor has been removed before the surgery is complete (intraoperative MRI).

To detect remaining tumor fragments and perform additional intervention in the same surgery, reducing the need for a second surgery.

To confirm the outcome of delicate surgeries such as pituitary gland tumors and epilepsy surgery.

To immediately verify whether screws are correctly placed in spinal surgeries (intraoperative CT).

To verify placement in spinal fractures, correction of curvatures, and cement-augmented procedures.

To detect problems such as bleeding that may occur during surgery early and maintain navigation accuracy.

Diagnosis Methods

Intraoperative MRI/CT is not a disease but an imaging method used during surgery; therefore, it does not make a diagnosis but supports the surgical treatment of a disease that has already been diagnosed. Preoperatively, surgery is planned with standard MRI or CT. The real value of this technology is that the status of the work (how much of the tumor has been removed, location of screws, etc.) can be evaluated at that moment with real-time images obtained during surgery.

Treatment Methods

These systems are imaging tools that support surgery. In intraoperative MRI, after the brain tumor is removed, MRI is performed in the operating room while the patient is anesthetized; if tumor remains, the surgeon can perform additional removal in the same session. In intraoperative CT, particularly in spinal surgeries, the position of placed screws is verified with three-dimensional imaging and, if necessary, correction can be made while the patient is still in surgery. MRI does not involve radiation; CT uses low-dose X-rays. These methods may extend operative time somewhat, but can help detect incompletely removed portions early and reduce the need for a second surgery. Whether to use them is determined based on the type of disease and surgical plan.

Verifying how much of the brain tumor has been removed with intraoperative MRI before surgery is complete.

If remaining tumor fragments are seen, performing additional removal in the same surgery.

Three-dimensional verification of spinal screw positions with intraoperative CT and correction in the same session if needed.

Updating the navigation system to compensate for brain shift and early detection of potential problems such as bleeding.

Treatment Path

Related Treatments

The procedures and interventions most commonly explored with this condition.

4 links

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife procedure

Open treatment detail

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife procedure

Open treatment detail

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy procedure

Open treatment detail

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile procedure

Open treatment detail

References

Quiñones-Hinojosa A, ed. Schmidek and Sweet Operative Neurosurgical Techniques. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021:17.
Quiñones-Hinojosa A, ed. Schmidek and Sweet Operative Neurosurgical Techniques. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021:22.
Greenberg MS. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023:670.
Ganslandt O, Grummich P, Nimsky C. Multimodal functional neuronavigation and intraoperative imaging. In: Brain Mapping. Academic Press; 2015.
Sekhar LN, Fessler RG, eds. Atlas of Neurosurgical Techniques: Brain. 2nd ed. Thieme; 2015:28.

This content is for informational purposes and based on academic sources; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın

Bilgilendirici içeriği sevdiklerinizle paylaşın

Looking for Another Condition?

Search among 134 neurosurgical conditions

All Disease Categories

23 categories, 134 neurosurgical conditions

🧠

Contact and Appointment

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Phone

+90 (232) 404 00 61

+90 (532) 414 35 35

[email protected]

Address

Ziya Gökalp Blv. No:28 D:1-2
35220 Konak/İzmir

Website

www.drozguraksan.com

Book Online Appointment Contact via WhatsApp

Browse Other Conditions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Brain & Nerve Surgery

Book an appointment for detailed information and personalized treatment plan.

Book Appointment

Related Department

Brain Surgery

Surgical treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases and hydrocephalus.

Send Your MRI Images

Get a free preliminary evaluation via EmarYolla.com.

Send MRI →

Our Services

Comprehensive Neurosurgery Services - A·B·C·H

Academy

BVSpedia

"Making medical knowledge free, open and accessible to everyone"

Departments

Specialty Areas

Main departments:

See All 16 Departments

Treatments

Surgical Techniques

Popular Surgeries:

See All Surgeries

Diseases

134 Neurosurgical

Most Searched:

See All 134 Diseases

What kind of help do you need?

Book Appointment Frequently Asked Questions

Brain Surgery - Other Conditions

Brain Tumor Glioblastoma (GBM)Acoustic Neuroma Astrocytoma Brain Metastases Ependymoma Glioma Pituitary Adenoma

🏠Home 📋All Conditions 🏥Brain Surgery 📞Contact

Need help?

Book an appointment for expert evaluation.

Book Appointment Contact via WhatsApp

← Back to All Conditions Brain Surgery View Page →

Intraoperative MRI/CT (Imaging During Surgery)

Surgical Technology

1Overview

What is this Condition?

Symptoms

Diagnosis Methods

Treatment Methods

Related Treatments

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile

References

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın

Looking for Another Condition?

All Disease Categories

Brain Tumors

Spine Surgery

Vascular

Pediatric

Functional

Trauma

Pain Treatment

See All

Contact and Appointment

Browse Other Conditions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Related Department

Brain Surgery

Send Your MRI Images

Our Services

Academy

Departments

Treatments

Diseases

YOU ARE HERE

Brain Surgery - Other Conditions

Need help?

Related Treatments

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın