Introduction: The intraoperative MRI examination (iMRI) is considered as one of important tools which enable to increase the extent of tumor resection and control procedure itself.
Methods: The iMRI is routinely used at our department since April 2008. Patient undergoes iMRI during the surgery or immediately after surgery (in same general anesthezia). GE Signa HDxT 3T is connected with the OR by railway transfer system (Maquet VIWAS) and routinely applied to examination. A prospective study was designed to obtain and analyze data to establish the safety of iMRI.
Results: Since April 2008 till August 2013 a series of 1500 consecutive iMRI cases were enrolled into study. In 23 cases adverse event was observed. In 19 of them they were classified as non-serious. In 12 obese patients iMRI was not done because of impossibility to fit into the gantry under general anaesthesia. In 7 cases the transfer system was broken and iMRI was not performed. The last four cases were classified as serious adverse events. In one case the transfer table broke down during the transfer and the patient had to be removed manually from the table. In another case the endotracheal balloon thin tube was cut during the patient transfer. In one awake-sleep-awake surgery the laryngeal mask was displaced during iMRI. In last case forgotten monopolar needle electrode in Fz position was cause of skin burn. On the other hand no brain abscess related to the iMRI surgery has been observed in the study. Only four serious adverse events have happened in 1500 iMRI procedures (0,3%). In none of them the patients life was threatened.
Conclusions: iMRI is a safe method to control the procedure and extent of resection. The risk of method is low and acceptable. No life threatening event has been observed until now. Supported by IGA MZ NT/14253 and P27/LF1/7.
Patient Care: The avoidance of complications during intraoperative MRI examination
Learning Objectives: The safety of intraoperative MRI examination