PREREQUISITES FOR MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGE-GUIDED INTERVENTIONS AND ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY

Our purpose was to evaluate technological prerequisites and procedural principles that enable easy, precise and reproducible magnetic resona nce imaging control of interventional procedures, such as biopsy and a spiration of neoplasm or local interstitial drug instillation in adequ ate time and with the required safety. New MR compatible needles, troc ars/cannulae, endoscopes and ancillary equipment were developed or eva luated in collaboration with industry. Sequences, study protocols and the strategies of performing the procedure within the environment of a n interventional MRI suite were conceptualized and tested. In 80 patie nts interventions such as aspiration biopsy, peridural corticoid injec tion at spinal nerve roots and intratumoural ethanol instillation were performed successfully.