Functional MRI of the Brain
A specialized MRI brain ordered to evaluate which areas of the brain are involved in certain functions, such as speech and vision. A functional MRI of the brain is used in surgical planning and/or to examine damaged areas of the brain. No contrast is used in a functional MRI of the brain.
For preparation instructions, please visit our MRI Brain page.
Below: fMRI highlights the part of the brain responsible for hand movements. Note that the tumor lies just behind this part of the brain. The tumor could be safely removed without post-operative weakness.
Below: fMRI highlights the part of the brain responsible for facial movements. Note the brain tumor lies jut behind this part of the brain. The tumor could be safely removed without post-operative weakness.
Below: fMRI highlights the part of the brain responsible for hand and leg movements. Note the brain tumor is within the strip of the brain that control body movement, in this case close to the part of the brain that controls the leg. Knowing this information before the surgery allowed the surgeon and the patient to understand what to expect after the operation and a biopsy was safely performed.
Below: An abnormality of the left frontal part of the brain is seen. fMRI was done to find the parts of the brain that control language. This patient has language control on the right side of the brain with very minimal control on the left which is at least one strip away from the lesion. This lesion was safely removed without any language deficits.
Below: fMRI highlights the part of the brain that control hand movements. The brain tumor lies within the same strip of brain that controls body movements. This lesion was safely biopsied.
