Real-time MRI guides Parkinson's surgery for the first time

In effort to treat a patient with Parkinson's disease, neurosurgeons at UC San Diego Health System have implanted a deep brain stimulator (DBS) using 3D, real-time MRI for guidance.

Traditionally, the surgery took place while the patient was awake and under pain management. Now with the use of the MRI technology, patients will be able to be placed under general anesthesia during the procedure.

"Placing a DBS device while a patient is awake can be exhausting for the patient due to the length of the procedure and the need to perform neurologic testing in the operation room," said Clark Chen, MD, PhD, the director of stereotactic and radiosurgery at UC San Diego, in a press release. "Fortunately, with continuous real-time MRI monitoring, we can now place the electrode in a safe location that provides maximal neurological benefit while the patient is under the comfort of geneal anesthesia."

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