Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an abundantly applied tool for the preoperative localization and/or lateralization of brain functions. It is noninvasive and therefore apparently without risk for patients. However, the particular risk of fMRI lies in several methodological limitations which can give rise to misinterpretations. These can result in fatal surgical decisions, for example, the resection of undetected functional cortex or the unnecessary sparing of tissue which has to be removed to achieve freedom from seizures. This chapter explains the methodological aspects of fMRI with special focus on its limitations, but also gives recommendations for safe clinical application of fMRI.
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I thank S. Bonelli, MD, PhD, for critically reviewing the manuscript.
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Wellmer, J. (2013). Functional MRI. In: Urbach, H. (eds) MRI in Epilepsy. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2012_563
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2012_563
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