Intraoperative MRI treats first patient
Mr Ian Sabin, consultant neurosurgeon at HCA’s The Wellington Hospital, discussing a brain scan. Photo: Captive Minds
By Leslie Berry
Delighted specialists at HCA’s The Wellington Hospital in London have used a new intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) scanner on its first patient.
The 3T Siemens scanner, integrated into the BrainLab digital operating theatre, allows a scan of a patient’s brain during surgery to give surgeons confidence they have achieved their treatment goal and reduced the need for the patient to have additional surgery in the early postoperative period.
Neurosurgeon Mr Ian Sabin, medical director of the London Gamma Knife Centre there, said: ‘The new iMRI scanner provides our patients with the gold standard of care.
‘With this technology, neurosurgery patients with brain tumours will have the best possible chance of tumours being removed fully without the need for further surgery.’
Following the iMRI scan, if further surgery is needed, the surgeon can continue immediately, eliminating the need for patients to have a scan next day while conscious and reducing the risk of them having to undergo another operation.
Chief executive Mr Eric Reichle said the hospital’s investment in its neurosurgery centre further enabled its commitment to provide outstanding care for patients facing the most challenging neurological conditions.
Patients from across HCA’s private hospital and specialist centre network in the UK would have access to the best specialist support and care possible.