Presurgical mapping of verbal language in brain tumors with functional MR imaging and MR tractography

Functional magnetic resonance (fMR) imaging and diffusion MR tractography have emerged as valuable tools in the evaluation of verbal language in brain tumor patients, and have changed the way neurosurgeons look at patients with a mass in the dominant hemisphere. The techniques have obtained recognition as valuable presurgical clinical tools in the determination of hemispheric dominance and in the selection of candidates who may benefit from awake craniotomy. In the near future fMRI and diffusion MR Tractography may contribute to elucidate mechanisms of brain plasticity and may provide predictors of favorable postoperative clinical outcome. The functional anatomy of the language network and the role of fMR imaging and diffusion MR tractography in the evaluation of patients with a brain tumor are the focus of this article.