Intraoperative and Interventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Applications in Spine Surgery

By providing a more detailed representation of human anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has expanded our understanding of many of the pathologic conditions that affect the spine. Recent developments in MRI technology has made it possible for surgeons to use this modality intraoperatively to visualize soft tissue and bony structures for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes without the ionizing radiation associated with computerized tomography scans, conventional fluoroscopy, or plain radiographs. This article provides a brief overview of both the current and the theoretical applications of intraoperative/interventional MRI for spinal surgery.