Exceptional surgical suite allows for MRI during operations

Director of pediatric neurosurgery, Zulma Tovar-Spinoza, MD, reviews the patient‘s magnetic resonance images prior to beginning surgery.
The clarity of the 3-tesla MRI is ideal for conditions that involve the brain, spine and musculoskeletal system, including brain tumors, epilepsy and cancer. Its powerful imaging capabilities provide exceptional detail.
Surgeons are able to immediately verify the complete removal of tumors, verify the placement of probes and minimize the impact to healthy tissues. This helps improve patient outcomes.
Hear an interview about the new suite

This 3-D computerized image shows the inside of the patient's brain and the 3.1-millimeter opening -- a bit larger than the tip of a pen -- for the laser.

Using a laser and MRI guidance, Tovar-Spinoza will remove a tumor through a melting process called ablation.

Once the neurosurgeon secures the laser in the patient's brain, the door to the MRI suite opens, and the patient -- still under anesthesia -- is moved into the scanner.

MRI technologists help position the patient in the scanner.

Tovar-Spinoza reviews the intraoperative scans to verify the tumor removal is complete.