MRI and Diffusion Imaging of Eloquent Brain Areas to Optimize Brain Tumor Resection Planning

Using Functional MRI and Diffusion Imaging of Eloquent Brain Areas to Optimize Brain Tumor Resection Planning

Many patients with brain tumors require surgery. Some patients have brain tumors near important parts of the brain. These brain areas have roles in language or motor function. Avoiding these motor and language areas helps to prevent neurological deficits. The investigators are studying the parts of the brain involved in motor and language. Patients usually get functional MRI (fMRI) or resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) for gray matter mapping and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) or diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) for white matter mapping. These special MRI sequences are used to plan surgery. Patients are scheduled to have imaging to help plan for possible surgery.

Some patients may require stimulation during surgery to motor and language areas. In patients who require stimulation as part of their standard of care, the investigators will compare the investigators imaging results with the stimulation results. The purpose of this study is to improve MRI mapping of the motor and language pathways in the brain.

The scans are necessary stimulation for this protocol are part of the standard of care. In other words, these tests are done as part of the best possible care even if they did not join this study. The investigators are studying new techniques for analyzing the MRI data. These new techniques may give the doctor a better view of where the brain tumor is located relative to important parts of the brain.

The investigators will only perform the test sequences that are necessary for mapping the tumor. Most patients will require both fMRI and DTI. Some patients may only require fMRI or DTI. The investigators may also ask to perform optional sequences during the scan. Multi-echo is an modified form of fMRI. DSI is a modified form of DTI. These optional sequences are for research only. The patient would not get these sequences if they do not enroll in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary or secondary brain tumor (enhancing mass lesion ± nonenhancing abnormality), known or suspected, located near (< 2 cm) any portion of the motor cortex, motor pathway, language cortex, or language pathway as determined on anatomical images;
• Planned resection of the tumor;
• fMRI and/or DTI required for preoperative imaging as part of the standard of care
• Patient and/or guardian is able to provide written informed consent prior to study registration
• Age ≥ 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to tolerate MRI and/or perform fMRI tasks (e.g., severe claustrophobia or pacemaker or aneurysm clip that precludes MRI scan)
• Pregnant or nursing female