What you can expect

Brain surgeons use intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging, or iMRI, to create real-time brain images during surgery. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain. To use MRI technology during surgery, doctors use portable iMRI devices that are moved into the operating room to create images. They may also use nearby iMRI devices that are kept in a room next to the operating room so doctors can easily move you there for imaging during surgery. At certain points during an operation, the surgeon may request imaging with iMRI.