Novel multimodality imaging techniques for neurosurgical planning and stereotactic navigation in epilepsy surgery (360G-Wellcome-097914_Z_11_Z)

Successful neurosurgery for epilepsy depends on removing the parts of the brain that give rise to seizures, and avoiding damaging areas undertaking vital functions such as language, movement and vision. Current techniques to direct surgery are based on MRI scans to show brain structure, but do not show areas needed for vital tasks, and do not permit interactive simulations of placement of recording electrodes in the brain.A research group headed by Professor John Duncan at University College London and Dr Sebastien Ourselin of UCL Centre for Medical Image Computing has implemented methods to identify critical areas of brain function, connections and blood vessels and display these in 3D. They plan to develop this system to enable the neurosurgeon to plan the best operative approach for inserting recording electrodes and for planning surgical resections. This information will be made available in the MRI scan guidance system in the operating room so that operations are more precise. They will produce a new system that will result in epilepsy surgery being planned more effectively, resulting in a higher cure rate and fewer complications.