Use of a compact intraoperative low-field magnetic imager in pediatric neurosurgery

Object The majority of investigations on the utility of and indications for intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) have been in adult patients. We report our initial experience utilizing low-field iMRI in pediatric patients.Methods We performed 21 procedures on 20 patients aged 2 months to 18 years (mean 8.9 years) utilizing the PoleStar –10 iMRI system. The procedures included 15 craniotomies, 2 shunts, and 1 each of the following surgeries: transsphenoidal, craniotomy/transsphenoidal, cranioplasty, and endoscopic biopsy and fenestration. Treated lesions included low-grade astrocytoma (5), craniopharyngioma (3), cortical dysplasia (3), hydrocephalus (2), and others (8). The number of scans ranged from 2 to 5 with a mean of 3.2. Intraoperative imaging and navigation provided valuable information on the extent of resection and catheter placement. In eight procedures it influenced the surgical strategy. No untoward events attributable to the system occurred.Conclusions The low-field PoleStar –10 iMRI system can safely assist pediatric neurosurgeons treating a variety of diseases. In addition to neuronavigation it provides information on extent of resection, real-time guided catheter placement, and avoidance of complications.A commentary on this paper is available at