May 8, 2006 New technology gives surgeons view inside the brain during surgery  May 8, 2006St. Paul - Neurosurgeons at Regions Hospital are using a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device that provides near real-time images of the brain during surgery. Regions is the first hospital in Minnesota to use the new PoleStar N20, a small, semi-portable MRI scanner that is fixed to a standard operating room table. The MRI lifts into position when an image is needed during surgery. This new technology allows surgeons to view the brain beyond the exposed surfaces throughout surgery, allowing surgeons to verify that the entire tumor has been removed prior to the end of surgery. This prevents patients from having a second operation to remove part of a tumor missed the first time. Traditionally, MRI images of a patients brain are acquired before and after surgery to identify tumor location and aid in navigation. If post-surgical imaging reveals cancerous tissue, the patient must undergo additional surgery. With the new intra-operative MRI, surgeons are able to modify treatment during surgery, knowing immediately if they have removed the entire tumor. It also helps avoid removal of healthy tissue. Regions Hospital is a Level I trauma center and teaching hospital serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a private hospital providing outstanding care in womens health, heart, cancer, surgery, orthopaedics, burn, emergency care and more. Regions is part of the HealthPartners family of care. Additional information is available at regionshospital.com. Contact: Vince Rivard 651-254-4729 |
||
|