By Vickie Parry and Sarah Beam, APN
Few words are scarier to hear than “You have a brain tumor.” Patients facing the reality of a brain tumor diagnosis need confidence that the hospital and surgeon they choose to partner with for treatment understand, and are using, the latest technology. When it comes to brain tumors, this technology comes in the form of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Known as iMRI, this technology is not widely available. Nationally, only several dozen are in use. Illinois has two iMRIs, one in the Chicago-area and one at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the Illinois Neurological Institute in Peoria.
What is an iMRI?
An iMRI is a unique surgical suite that is half MRI scanner and half operating room. The technology enables the neurosurgeon in the operating room to thoroughly evaluate how much tumor was removed during surgery — while the patient is still under anesthesia. This can potentially help the patient avoid undergoing additional surgeries. The use of this equipment and process is the result of a collaboration started over 20 years ago in Boston when the first prototype was created. It was determined that using real-time imaging at the time of surgery improved patient outcomes. This prompted further research and the more advanced models that are used today.
How will choosing a hospital with an iMRI benefit you?
Together, the use of the iMRI and its associated software, the neurosurgeon has the ability to more closely visualize the exact location of the brain tumor before operating. This allows for more complete tumor removal while avoiding critical areas that may cause long-term damage to the patient’s cognition, ability to speak, or ability to move and walk. This capability will be available to our adult and pediatric neurosurgeons at the Illinois Neurological Institute at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Dr. Andrew Tsung, Director of the Brain Tumor Center, trained with iMRI technology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX and is excited to have this new technology in Peoria. “The iMRI represents a significant advancement in the treatment of brain cancer. It will allow us to see cancer in a way that nobody else can which, in turn, will lead to better removal at the time of surgery and ultimately better survival and improved quality of life,” says Dr. Tsung.
One of the many challenging factors in the treatment of brain cancer is that it is often impossible for the neurosurgeon to discern healthy brain from cancerous brain with the naked eye. Neurosurgeons have traditionally utilized ultrasound to attempt to determine how much of a tumor was successfully removed during brain surgery. Now, with the use of the iMRI, surgeons can achieve more complete tumor removal during surgery which may lead to better long-term prognosis, quality of life, and survival. It also reduces the chances of a repeat surgery being needed. Dr. Tony Avellino, CEO of the OSF HealthCare Neuroscience Service Line and Illinois Neurological Institute, says, “The iMRI is truly a game-changer and will allow the Illinois Neurological Institute adult and pediatric neurosurgeons to use this state-of-the-art iMRI technology to continue to advance the treatment of brain tumors in the Midwest and across the US.”
For more information contact 309-624-4000 or visit www.ini.org.