FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING FOR INTRACRANIAL NAVIGATION

Functional MR imaging can provide accurate anatomic and physiologic lo calization of human cortical function. This new method of noninvasive cortical mapping appears to be valuable preoperatively for risk assess ment, therapeutic decision making and surgical planning. The integrate d volume rendering of brain surface topography, cortical veins, struct ural lesion, and sites of functional activation is also useful intraop eratively for defining cortical resection boundaries in patients with lesions in critical areas.