Physicians at Doernbecher Children's Hospital look at images taken by a high-tech magnetic resonance imaging machine that could help surgeons avoid multiple brain operations for the same tumor. Oregon Health & Science University unveiled a new surgical suite on Wednesday that will help neurosurgeons perform delicate brain operations on children. The suite, in Doernbecher Children's Hospital, contains a mobile, high-powered magnetic resonance imaging machine that takes high-resolution pictures during an operation. The MRI travels overhead on rails and then retracts when the pictures are taken, allowing surgeons to see what's going on while they're operating. Without it, they have to rely on images taken before or after the operation. OHSU officials said it will help surgeons detect and treat unexpected complications on the spot and safely remove most tumors in a single operation. "Brain surgery often succeeds or fails by a millimeter, but during surgery the brain can shift by 10 times that much," Dr. Nathan Selden, head of neurological surgery at OHSU, said in a statement. The new unit is likely to benefit hundreds of children a year. The first surgery in the new suite is scheduled in March, said Tracy Brawley, a spokeswoman for OHSU. The machines cost around $2 million. The suite cost $19 million to build and equip. The project was funded by donors, including the family of Arnold and Leona Poletiek, along with hospital capital. Source
