Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an advanced imaging technique used to map certain brain functions preoperatively—the information obtained is used to assess risk and operative feasibility while helping to guide the surgical approach. fMRI has been validated for motor mapping, language lateralization, and to a lesser extent language localization (due, in part, to the evolution of our understanding of language function). This chapter aims to provide an insight into preoperative fMRI beginning with brain physiology to a discussion of recent advancements while providing tips on how to approach post-processing and image assessment