MRI Brain Navigation Protocol

Key Uses & Safety Snapshot

• Purpose: Create a detailed 3-D brain map for surgery planning, biopsy guidance, or epilepsy focus localisation.
• Technology: Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves—no radiation.
• Safety: Non-invasive; open-bore scanner available for claustrophobic patients.

Quick Facts Table

• Anatomical Landmarks: Sylvian fissure, ventricles, skull base
• Functional Activation Zones: Broca’s & Wernicke’s areas, motor cortex
• Fiber Tractography Data: Corticospinal tract, optic radiations, arcuate fasciculus

• Pre-surgical Mapping: Know tumour borders before the first incision
• Biopsy Guidance: Target the most aggressive part of a lesion
• Epilepsy Focus Localisation: Pinpoint seizure origin for resection planning

• Precise Targeting & Reduced Surgical Risk: Fewer complications, less normal tissue removed
• Shorter Operating Time: Surgeons spend minutes, not hours, finding the lesion
• Better Patient Outcomes: Faster recovery, improved quality of life

• Brain Tumours & Lesions: Gliomas, meningiomas, metastases
• Vascular Malformations: AVMs, cavernomas, aneurysms
• Neurodegenerative Disorders: Early Alzheimer’s-related volume loss, multiple sclerosis plaques

Pre-requisites

• Bring previous scans (CT, MRI, PET) on CD or cloud link
• Share full medical history, especially kidney disease or allergies

Best Time to Take the MRI Brain Navigation Protocol

• Ideally 1–2 weeks before planned surgery to allow surgical team planning time

Eligibility

• Pregnancy: First-trimester scans avoided unless essential
• Pacemaker: MRI-conditional devices accepted; others need cardiologist clearance

Procedure for Taking an MRI Brain Navigation Protocol

1. Change into cotton gown; remove all metal.
2. Lie on the scanner table; head coil placed.
3. Perform simple tasks (e.g., finger tapping) if functional MRI is included.
4. Contrast injection via IV if ordered (takes 10 seconds).
5. Scan complete; you may leave immediately.

Caution Before Taking the Test

• Metal Objects: No jewellery, hearing aids, or hairpins
• Fasting: 4–6 hrs for contrast studies; clear fluids allowed

MRI Safety Considerations

• Contra-indications: Pacemakers, cochlear implants, certain aneurysm clips
• Precautions: Pregnancy screening, kidney function test before contrast

Limitations in Detecting Certain Pathologies

• Very small calcified lesions may be missed
• Cannot distinguish tumour grade without biopsy
• Metal artefacts may obscure nearby structures