Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Brain – Example Results of Examination

The article describes a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examination and the further data analysis. Inspiration to take an interest in fMRI diagnostics was its cognitive and clinical use which was observed by the author during the student practice at the Cracow University Hospital Department of Radiology (1.5 T SIGNA EXCITE 2 Echospeed MR System). The author of the paper participated in fMRI study of a patient diagnosed with right brain hemisphere tumour. In this case it was necessary to determine active regions responsible for limbs’ movement. The obtained diagnostic data were the object of further analysis (digital processing). The images of an anatomical structure of patient's brain (in greyscale) with colourful active areas were obtained by analyzing images using specialized software NordicICE 2.3.1 and Functool 2.6.6. Looking at such images, it is possible for a doctor to determine the changes in the brain at the molecular level and to plan eventual neurosurgery.