Evaluation of vocal fold surgery using open MRI

Abstract

The Shiga University of Medical Science installed the first intraoperative MR unit in Japan, the GE SIGNA SP/i 0.5 T, and began clinical studies starting January 2000. This system, called a double-doughnut type open MR system, was designed especially for minimally invasive MR-guided surgery and interventional therapy. The MR imaging of the GE SIGNA SP/i 0.5 T is characterized by superior soft tissue discrimination and flexible MR planes.
We report here on the use of this intraoperative MR system to assess vocal fold medialization by thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction. Intraoperative MRI can repeatedly assess by axial and coronal planes, and provided additional information about bilateral vocal fold symmetry, medial-to-lateral displacement, heights of both vocal folds, and the orientation of implants. An Intraoperative MRI unit is useful in assessing several aspects of vocal fold medialization procedures.