61Modern anesthetic practice requires the anesthesiologist to care for extremely sick patients while negotiating the intricacies of myriad procedural environments. One such unique environment that is becoming increasingly important for contemporary anesthesiologists to be familiar with is that of the intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (ioMRI) suite. 1,2 ioMRI is an evolving technology that offers precise intra-cranial lesion localization and intra-operative navigation by combining the highresolution imaging capabilities of MRI with an operative suite. When ioMRI is combined with other, more conventional, intra-operative navigation strategies, it has the ability to provide increased precision of navigation and aid in resection of a variety of intra-cranial lesions. [3][4][5][6] There are a number of important considerations when caring for patients in this environment that are quite different from any other perioperative environment.7 As these types of operative suites proliferate, it is becoming increasingly important for anesthesiologists to become familiar with the unique aspects of delivering safe, effective perioperative care for patients undergoing ioMRI-guided neurosurgical procedures. This review will discuss considerations when caring for patients in an ioMRI suite.
HistoryioMRI was developed in the 1990s in an attempt to improve intra-operative navigation and have a real-time assessment of the extent of resection during intra-cranial neurosurgical procedures. 8 Prior to the development of ioMRI, a variety of stereotactic navigational systems had been utilized to improve localization and precision of resection. These techniques employed either frame-based or frameless systems. All these systems involved triangulating a number of points over multiplanar images of the head acquired preoperatively.
AbstractIntra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (ioMRI) is an evolving technology that offers precise intra-cranial lesion localization and intra-operative navigation by combining the high-resolution imaging capabilities of MRI with an operative suite. Developed in the 1990s, ioMRI presents caregivers with a variety of unique challenges revolving around performing surgical procedures in an operating theatre with a high-strength magnetic field.Different types of ioMRI systems exist, differentiated by the relative mobility of the patient and magnet. As with any MRI environment, safety is of paramount concern. Published safety guidelines exist from both the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Anesthesiologists.A variety of checklists can be used to enhance the safety of the ioMRI suite. There are a variety of anesthetic considerations when caring for patients in this environment including concerns related to the anesthesia equipment, the patient, and the general MRI environment. A multidisciplinary approach can encourage safety and efficiency in this unique operating room. The purpose of this review is to discuss the variety of topics that anesthesiologists need to consider using thi...