Patient Perception of Combined Awake Brain Tumor Surgery and Intraoperative 1.5-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Kiel Experience

OBJECTIVE: To assess patients' perspective of combined awake craniotomy and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a prospective study. METHODS: We evaluated 25 consecutive patients prospectively. Qualitative and quantitative results were obtained by a psychologist via a structured interview 5 +/- 2 days postoperatively, supplemented by preoperative and postoperative assessment of the patients' mood with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, as well as parts of a structured clinical interview during the postoperative assessment. RESULTS: Satisfaction with the experience was high in almost all cases. Only 1 patient recalled experiencing considerable discomfort during the operation. About one-third (39%) of our sample described minor to moderate difficulties; the remaining were entirely satisfied. CONCLUSION: Although the combination of awake craniotomy and intraoperative MRI is demanding, it was both tolerable and reasonable for the patients. Our data confirm that intraoperative MRI appears to have no additional significant impact on the subjective patient perception, although it does prolong the procedure.