Prerequisites for magnetic resonance image-guided interventions and endoscopic surgery

Our purpose was to evaluate technological prerequisites and procedural principles that enable easy, precise and reproducible magnetic resonance imaging control of interventional procedures, such as biopsy and aspiration of neoplasm or local interstitial drug instillation in adequate time and with the required safety. New MR compatible needles, trocars/cannulae, endoscopes and ancillary equipment were developed or evaluated in collaboration with industry. Sequences, study protocols and the strategies of performing the procedure within the environment of an interventional MRI suite were conceptualized and tested. In 80 patients interventions such as aspiration biopsy, peridural corticoid injection at spinal nerve roots and intratumoural ethanol instillation were performed successfully.