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Vol. 37. Issue 5.
(September - October 2026)
Clinical Research

Utility and applications of high-field 1.5T intraoperative magnetic resonance in pediatric neurosurgical practice after 5 years of experience

Utilidad y aplicaciones de la resonancia intraoperatoria de alto campo-1,5T en la actividad neuroquirúrgica pediátrica tras 5 años de experiencia
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Victoria Becerra Castroa,
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mariavictoria.becerra@sjd.es

Corresponding author.
, José Hinojosa Mena-Bernala, Diego Culebras Palaoa, Mariana Alamar Abrila, Marta Gómez Chiarib, Jordi Muchart Lópezb
a Departamento de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
b Departamento de Diagnóstico por la Imagen, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract
Background and objectives

High-field 1.5T intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) was installed in our institution in 2020. Since then, it has been routinely used in pediatric neurosurgical practice. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with this intraoperative imaging modality in a cohort of pediatric patients, focusing on the benefits, risks, and limitations in neurooncological practice and other entities such as the management of hydrocephalus and vascular disease.

Materials and methods

From February 2020 to April 2025, a series of consecutive pediatric cases involving various neurosurgical procedures were analyzed to describe the usefulness, safety, and challenges of using iMRI. Patients were categorized into five groups based on the type of surgery. Additional tumor resection after iMRI, early reoperation rate, and complications were analyzed.

Results

During this period, a total of 374 surgeries were performed with MRI. Of these, 141 were oncological surgeries; 7 were for vascular pathology; 10 were for hydrocephalus management; and 6 miscellaneous; 188 epilepsy surgeries and 22 functional pathology, which will be detailed in another submission. The mean age was 9.62 years (range: 2 months–18 years). After iMRI, the degree of surgical resection was improved in 11.4% (11/96) of cases of tumor resection surgeries. The early reoperation rate was 0% in the first month. This imaging control adapted postoperative management in 6 patients in whom complications were detected. In 52 of 164 of the patients analyzed (32%), iMRI was used as a final control, saving the patient from a second sedation that would have been necessary for early postoperative iMRI. The mean duration of the intraoperative imaging process was 54±6min, and 3–4min for the check list.

Conclusions

iMRI in pediatric neurosurgical procedures was a useful, safe, and reliable tool. Its use improved the extension of tumor removal and avoids the need for early reintervention. Limitations were associated with the application of strict safety protocols to prevent accidents in highly complex environments and the inherent challenges associated with positioning pediatric patients due to headrests and non-compatible surgical tables.

Keywords:
Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging
Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgery
Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors
Pediatric neurosurgery
Hydrocephalus
Vascular pathology
Resumen
Antecedentes y objetivos

La resonancia magnética intraoperatoria (RMio) de alto campo-1,5T se incorporó en nuestro centro en el año 2020. Desde entonces, se ha utilizado de forma rutinaria en la práctica neuroquirúrgica pediátrica. El objetivo de este estudio consistió en describir nuestra experiencia con esta modalidad de imagen intraoperatoria en una cohorte de pacientes pediátricos, prestando especial interés y profundizando sobre los beneficios, riesgos y limitaciones en la actividad neurooncológica, y en otras indicaciones, como el manejo de la hidrocefalia y la patología vascular.

Material y métodos

Desde febrero de 2020 hasta abril de 2025 se ha analizado una serie consecutiva de procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos pediátricos asistidos por RMio, evaluando su utilidad, su seguridad y los desafíos de implementación. Para el análisis, los pacientes se categorizaron en cinco grupos según el tipo de cirugía. Se registró la necesidad de una resección tumoral adicional tras la RMio, la tasa de reintervención precoz (primer mes) y las complicaciones.

Resultados

Durante el periodo de estudio se realizaron un total de 374 cirugías con RMio: 141 fueron cirugías oncológicas, 7 por patología vascular, 10 por hidrocefalia, y 6 fueron una miscelánea; además, se practicaron 188 cirugías de epilepsia y 22 de patología funcional, que se presentarán en una publicación independiente. La edad media fue de 9,62años (rango: 2meses-18años). La RMio se asoció a una mejora del grado de resección quirúrgica tumoral en el 11,4% (11/96) de los casos de cirugías resectivas tumorales. La tasa de reintervención precoz fue del 0% en el primer mes. La RMio permitió detectar complicaciones quirúrgicas y ajustar la conducta postoperatoria en 6pacientes. En 52 de 164 de los pacientes analizados (32%), la RMio se utilizó como control final, evitando una segunda sedación que hubiera sido necesaria por la edad para la resonancia postoperatoria precoz. El tiempo medio del proceso de imagen intraoperatoria fue de 54±6minutos, y el protocolo de seguridad requirió 3-4minutos.

Conclusiones

La RMio de 1,5T en neurocirugía pediátrica fue una herramienta útil, segura y fiable. Su uso mejoró el grado de resección tumoral y permitió evitar reintervenciones precoces. Las principales limitaciones se relacionaron con la necesidad de aplicar un protocolo estricto de seguridad para evitar accidentes por entornos de alta complejidad y los inconvenientes inherentes al posicionamiento del paciente pediátrico por los reposacabezas y mesas quirúrgicas RM compatibles.

Palabras clave:
Resonancia magnética intraoperatoria
Resonancia magnética intraoperatoria en neurocirugía
Tumores cerebrales y medulares pediátricos
Neurocirugía pediátrica
Hidrocefalia
Patología vascular

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