Skip to main content
Log in

Functional MRI of the brain: localisation of eloquent cortex in focal brain lesion therapy

  • Neuroradiology
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of functional MRI (fMRI) in a clinical environment on a large patient group, and to evaluate the pretherapeutic value of localisation of eloquent cortex. Forty patients with focal brain lesions of different origin were studied using fMRI. Functional information was obtained using motor, somatosensory, auditory and phonological stimuli depending on the localisation of the lesions. To obtain information about the spatial accuracy of fMRI, the results were compared with postoperative electrocortical stimulation. Two patients with secondary trigeminal neuralgia were scanned using a motor protocol and were implanted with an extradural plate electrode. Imaging was successful in 40 of 42 patients (including the 2 with trigeminal neuralgia). These patients were analysed for strength of activation, the relation of the lesion to activation sites and the presence of mass effect. The correlation between these data and surgical findings provided significant additional clinical information. Functional MRI can be accurately performed in patients with focal brain lesions using a dedicated approach. Functional MRI offers important clinical information as a contribution to a decrease in posttherapeutic morbidity. The accuracy of the technique can be confirmed by other modalities, including invasive cortical electrostimulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received 19 November 1997; Revision received 23 February 1998; Accepted 3 March 1998

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dymarkowski, S., Sunaert, S., Van Oostende, S. et al. Functional MRI of the brain: localisation of eloquent cortex in focal brain lesion therapy. Eur Radiol 8, 1573–1580 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050589

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050589

Navigation