Open AccessEvaluating requirements for spatial resolution of fMRI for neurosurgical planning
Author(s) -
Yoo SeungSchik,
Talos IonFlorin,
Golby Alexandra J.,
Black Peter McL.,
Panych Lawrence P.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.10148
Subject(s) - central sulcus , spatial normalization , magnetic resonance imaging , functional magnetic resonance imaging , voxel , brain mapping , psychology , image resolution , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , computer science , nuclear medicine , medical physics , medicine , radiology , motor cortex , stimulation
The unambiguous localization of eloquent functional areas is necessary to decrease the neurological morbidity of neurosurgical procedures. We explored the minimum spatial resolution requirements for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquisition when brain mapping is used in neurosurgical planning and navigation. Using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI scanner, eight patients with brain tumors underwent fMRI scans using spatial resolution of approximately 4 × 4 × 4 mm 3 to map the eloquent motor and language areas during the performance of cognitive/sensorimotor tasks. The fMRI results were then used intra‐operatively in an open MRI system to delineate eloquent areas. Retrospectively, activation patterns were visually inspected by a neurosurgeon to determine qualitatively whether ambiguity with respect to the activation boundaries, due to low spatial resolution, could be of potential significance for surgical guidance. A significant degree of ambiguity in both the extent and shape of activation was judged to be present in data from six of the eight patients. Analysis of fMRI data at multiple resolutionsom sixl aia frogfica ger showed that at 3 mm isotropic resolution, eloquent areas were better localized within the gray matter although there was still some potential for ambiguity caused by activations appearing to cross a sulcus. The data acquired with 2‐mm isotropic voxels significantly enhanced the spatial localization of activation to within the gray matter. Thus, isotropic spatial resolution on the order of 2 × 2 × 2 mm 3 , which is much higher than the resolutionsoused in typical fMRI examinations, may be needed for the unambiguous identification of cortical activation with respect to tumors and important anatomical landmarks. Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:34–43, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.