A new service at Queens Medical Centre gives the ability to perform MRI scans on neurosurgery patients during their surgery – usually tumour removal.
This new service called Intraoperative MRI (IMRI) means that surgeons can perform surgery and immediately scan the patient to ensure the entire tumour is removed or continue the surgery if they find more to remove.
There are only a handful of these facilities available in the UK but this is the first Intraoperative service that can scan adults and children during surgery. It is considered the gold standard of care for neurosurgery patients.
The project was a joint funding partnership between NUH, Nottingham Hospitals Charity, the University of Nottingham and Children with Cancer charity.
Using child friendly, immersive technology the MRI experience is enhanced for children therefore removing the need for anaesthetic in some cases. Where anaesthetic is still required, the new facility provides a purpose built and safe environment to anaesthetise children
Donald Macarthur, Paediatric Neurosurgeon at the Nottingham Children’s Hospital said: “Thanks to joint funding partnership between Nottingham hospitals Charity, University of Nottingham and NUH we are delighted to provide this service to our patients. The ability to carry out a scan during surgery prevents the need for additional surgeries on patients and provides them with much better outcomes from their treatment.”
Barbara Cathcart, Chief Executive of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to help fund this important piece of machinery, which will make a real, tangible difference to patients and their families at Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
“We’d like to thank everyone across the local community – from businesses and schools, to individuals and families – who have helped make this possible by raising money towards our Big iMRI Appeal. We’d especially like to thank the University of Nottingham, with whom we were pleased to partner on this project.”
