Introduction:
Imaging modalities are integrands of diagnosis. Apart from detection, these imaging modalities do express dynamic and indispensable contributions to framing the right treatment plan. Various surgical planning and treatment choices are governed and intimated by the observations prompted by such imaging modalities. Technological headways and progressions have effectuated the emergence of sophisticated and futuristic imaging modalities.
Magnetic resonance imaging, medical optical imaging, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, ultrasound scanning, X-rays, digital mammography, endoscopy, tactile imaging, electrical impedance tomography, and magnetic source imaging are a few top-rated imaging modalities. These imaging modalities bring out visuals of the internal structures, hinting at the functional and structural oddities. These imageries heighten and expedite treatment planning by fostering more data pertaining to the patient’s health.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a customarily advocated imaging modality, projects deeper applicabilities. It could generate precise and comprehensive three-dimensional picturization. Magnetic resonance imaging techniques can depict blood vessels, bones, spinal cord, joints, heart, organs, muscles, brain, and other structures. Radio waves and magnetic waves aid the picturization in magnetic resonance imaging without any invasive proceedings. Painless and atraumatic traits shell out the medical applicability as well as patient acceptance for magnetic resonance imaging.
What Is Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging?
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), an extended magnetic resonance imaging version, is devised to catch hold of functional oddities in the brain. In functional magnetic resonance imaging, as the title suggests, the functional attributes are revealed. The operative and functional capabilities of the brain ought to be mapped through fMRI, which hints at the brain’s functional status as well as the oddities or derangements reflected.
Through functional magnetic resonance imaging, the brain’s blood flow is judged while it is in its functioning state. It could map and express even inconsiderable drifts in the brain’s blood streaming. The brain’s behavior and operative mechanism through various brain functions are tracked by functional magnetic resonance imaging. The brain segments that extract the maximum blood flow towards it while instituting each brain function can be precisely mapped and spotted with functional magnetic resonance imaging. fMRI underscores and accentuates those brain segments that draw in maximum blood. It captures the “blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD)” deviations precipitated in the radio and magnetic waves that are instituted in functional magnetic resonance imaging. In order to track these BOLD deviations, the person for whom the functional magnetic resonance is to be executed should be subjected to brain stimulus. Visual stimulus, motor movements (muscular activity), auditory stimulus, and task-based stimulus can be employed, instigating the activation of the corresponding brain segments.
Even though the output inflicted from functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance imaging ought to be different, they are yielded through analogous working mechanisms and operative techniques. Unlike MRI findings, fMRI outputs are employed to pin down the critical brain segments that govern and pilot the cardinal functions.
What Are the Applications of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neurosurgical Planning?
Functional magnetic resonance imaging is particularly endorsed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for surgical planning. Having said that, fMRI has been advocated for other conditions as well. Neurosurgical planning is a treatment outline devised for executing the neurosurgery. Functional magnetic resonance imaging is often the guiding tool in working out the apt treatment plan for neurosurgeries. Neurosurgeries are advocated for neurological or brain conditions. Any form of surgical exploration in the brain tissue calls for precise and elaborative neurosurgical planning. Neurosurgical planning scales down the propensity and gravity for surgical complications.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging is advocated for brain mapping. Brain mapping capacitates the doctor to acquire in-depth awareness concerning the brain portions that are liable for specific brain functions. By localizing the brain activities and processes, doctors gain command over the treatment course and outcome by sparing those cardinal brain segments.
A few applications of functional magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgical planning are quoted below:
1. Brain Tumor Surgeries: Brain tumors, are alarming brain conditions, where one may present with aberrant cellular gathering within the brain. In such cases, functional magnetic resonance imaging is instituted to delineate the closeness or approximation of the brain tumor with the cardinal brain segments. In case the tumor is revealed to be in approximation with the functional brain segment, fMRI aids the doctors in pinning down the compulsion for brain mapping intraoperatively. Likewise, functional magnetic resonance imaging output also reinforces the treatment's success by turning down the risk quotients. This ascertains the safety as well as success concerning brain tumor resections. Functional MRI downturns the proclivity for functional impairments that brain tumor surgeries could instigate.
2. Resective Epilepsy Surgery: Epilepsy is brought on by overstated brain’s electrical activities. A surgical strategy ought to be instituted for epilepsy where other non-surgical remedial measures could not pull off the desired or intended outcome. Functional magnetic resonance imaging gauges the proximity of the brain segment triggering epilepsy with the functional areas. Thus, a functioning MRI assists in formulating neurosurgical planning for resective epilepsy surgery. Moreover, it could also unfold predisposition for the functional impairments (visual, auditory, memory, etc) that resective epilepsy surgery could prompt. fMRI could unmask the epileptic brain segment when teamed with an electroencephalogram.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury: Harm or impact to the brain structures inflicted by trauma is grouped under traumatic brain injuries. Surgical strategies for such injuries are often assisted and backed by functional magnetic resonance imaging findings. It guides the medical team in formulating the treatment modalities to draw out the best outcome. Functional magnetic resonance imaging unfolds any aberrations or oddities in the brain's functioning that were instigated by traumatic brain injury.
Conclusion:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a hybrid variant of magnetic resonance imaging, which upholds specific applications in neurosurgical planning. Apart from brain mapping, functional magnetic resonance imaging also aids in tracking brain tumor growth, Alzheimer's disease (accelerated memory loss), and psychiatric issues. It maps and pinpoints the distribution of brain activities and localizes its functional locations. fMRI findings also enable the detection of functional deficits fostered by stroke (brain attack incited by impeded brain blood flow). fMRI findings are also employed for formulating radiation therapy in the head so that functional harm evoked by the radiation can be kept down. Pre-surgical planning, tailoring of intervention, and post-surgical reviewing are the relevant attributes of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Being an upcoming modality, its therapeutic applications have yet to be thoroughly unmasked and are still under scrutiny to stretch out its medical applications.
