Intraoperative MRI

Istanbul

Intraoperative MRI in Istanbul is available at 2 hospitals in the Voumed network.

Intraoperative MRI, also called operating room MRI, brings the power of magnetic resonance imaging directly into surgery. A specially designed scanner, integrated into the operating room, lets the surgical team obtain detailed pictures of the brain or spine while the operation is still under way. This means the surgeon can check progress during the procedure rather than waiting for a scan afterwards. Like all MRI, it uses a magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays, so it adds no ionising radiation. It is especially valuable for delicate tumour surgery, where seeing the result in real time can improve the outcome.

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At a glance

Type: surgical imaging system (magnetic resonance, no ionising radiation)
Used for: brain, pituitary and spinal cord tumour surgery and cerebral vascular surgery
Key benefit: shows any remaining tumour during the operation, often avoiding a second surgery
Setting: an integrated MRI within the operating room itself
Where it is used: leading accredited neurosurgical centres abroad

What it is

Intraoperative MRI is a magnetic resonance scanner built into the operating room as part of the surgical setup. While the patient is asleep under anaesthesia, the scanner can be moved to the operating table, or the table moved to the scanner, so that fresh, detailed images are captured at key moments during surgery. It combines the diagnostic clarity of MRI with the live environment of the operating theatre, giving the surgical team an up-to-date map of the area they are working on without ending the operation.

How it works

During surgery the team pauses at a chosen point and acquires an MRI scan of the area being operated on. The powerful magnet and radio waves build a clear, cross-sectional image of the brain or spinal cord, just as in a standard MRI. The surgeon reviews these images on the spot to confirm how much of a tumour has been removed and to see the exact position of nearby healthy structures. Because the patient remains under anaesthesia, the operation can then continue informed by what the scan showed, all within the same sterile, controlled environment.

What it shows and who it helps

Intraoperative MRI is mainly used in neurosurgery. It guides the careful removal of brain, pituitary and spinal cord tumours, helping the surgeon take out as much of the tumour as is safely possible while protecting critical tissue around it. By revealing any residual tumour before the operation is finished, it often allows the surgeon to address it in the same session, reducing the chance that a second operation is needed. It also supports cerebral vascular surgery. Patients with these complex conditions benefit most from the precision it brings.

Benefits and what to expect

The key benefit of intraoperative MRI is precision in real time: confirming during surgery how much tumour remains helps achieve a more complete and safer result and can spare patients an additional operation. For the patient, the experience is that of the surgery itself, planned and carried out by the surgical team under anaesthesia; the imaging is handled entirely by the staff. As with any operation, recovery depends on the procedure and the individual, and the care team provides a tailored plan for healing and follow-up. The detailed images also support clear documentation of what was achieved.

Frequently asked questions

These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.

Does intraoperative MRI use radiation?

No. Like all MRI it uses a strong magnet and radio waves rather than X-rays, so it adds no ionising radiation to the operation. The surgical team takes the usual MRI safety precautions around the strong magnetic field.

Will I be awake during the imaging?

In most cases, no. The scan is performed during the operation while you are under general anaesthesia, so you are asleep and feel nothing. The team manages the imaging as part of the surgery.

How does it help my surgery?

It lets the surgeon check, during the operation, how much of a tumour has been removed and where critical structures lie. This helps achieve a more complete removal while protecting healthy tissue, and it can reduce the need for a further operation later.

Does it make the operation take longer?

Acquiring the scan adds some time to the procedure, but this is often outweighed by the benefit of confirming the result during the same operation rather than discovering remaining tumour on a later scan.

Is it safe to have an MRI in the operating room?

Yes. The scanner and the operating room are specially designed to work together safely, and the team follows strict protocols for the strong magnet, including careful checks of every instrument and implant used near it.

Who is this technology for?

It is mainly used for delicate brain, pituitary and spinal cord tumour operations and for certain cerebral vascular procedures. Your surgeon decides whether it is appropriate based on the type and location of the condition being treated.