Synopsis

Keywords: Physics & Engineering: Interventional, Transferable skills: Safety, Contrast mechanisms: Thermometry

Interventional and intraoperative MRI deviate from traditional diagnostic use of MRI and can require special environments, equipment, acquisitions and safety considerations when translated into clinical services. Here we briefly overview several examples of clinical iMRI/ioMRI offered in an oncology setting.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Radiographers, MR technologists, radiologists, clinicians, and scientists interested in learning about the clinical translation of technological advances in MRI, particularly in the fields of interventional imaging.
OBJECTIVES: Due to its exquisite soft-tissue contrast and ability to image in near real-time in any orientation, MRI has become very attractive for guidance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in an interventional or intraoperative environment. Here we will briefly review some common and emerging MRI-guided procedures performed in interventional and intraoperative environments interleaved with some discussion about how they moved from clinical research to clinical service.
METHODS: Primary techniques to be discussed are use of MRI for planning, targeting, monitoring and verifying during interventions such as biopsy or therapy delivery. This would include traditional anatomic imaging techniques modified for the intervention fast imaging sequences for guidance, such as balanced steady state free precession, as well as MR unique sequences for guiding therapy, such as MR temperature imaging.
RESULTS/ DISCUSSION: MR-guided procedures are becoming more common placeThese procedures can require a different skill set to successfully navigate the changes in patient setup and scanning as well as safety challenges associated with the environment, personnel and equipment. Translating interventional procedures from research to a clinical service often involves the integration of several teams, not all of whom routinely work in MRI.
CONCLUSION/RELEVANCE: Advanced knowledge and skills in MR physics, acquisition techniques and safety are essential for both interventional and intraoperative MRI. Unlike routine diagnostic procedures, there is a need to understand the ramifications of equipment brought into the procedure room and its interaction with both scanner and patient.

Acknowledgements

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References

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