HANDS ON

Course Overview

During most MRI procedures, there is no need for interaction between the administrator of the test and the patient. The situation is quite the opposite in functional MRI (fMRI), where the neurological status of the patient must be assessed; an appropriate paradigm must be selected based on the neurological assessment and prior MRI examinations. Further, the paradigm must be delivered to and successfully performed by the patient while in the MRI machine. In addition, there is a rather complicated analysis of the fMRI and diffusion tractography data, which must be performed and assessed. How to properly perform these tasks is often not addressed during residency and fellowship training or in annual scientific society meetings.

Target Audience

Clinicians involved in fMRI, including neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists.

Educational Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles behind fMRI and diffusion tractography
• Choose the optimal fMRI paradigms appropriate for the patient and clinical situation
• Deliver fMRI paradigms correctly and monitor the patient for adequate compliance
• Hands on experience so that the attendee will be able to analyze fMRI and diffusion tractography 
• Understand how data is delivered to a neurosurgical navigational system and used by the neurosurgeon 
• Avoid pitfalls in the interpretation of clinical fMRI and diffusion tractography
• Optimize fMRI billing and coding

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the International Institute for Continuing Medical Education, Inc. and fMRI Consultants LLC. The International Institute for Continuing Medical Education Inc. is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement:

The International Institute for Continuing Medical Education, Inc. designates this live activity for a maximum of 22 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty Disclosure:

It is the policy of the International Institute for Continuing Medical Education, Inc. to comply with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Commercial Support to CME activities. All faculty participants in iiCME programs are required to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to this meeting or its content. Faculty disclosure forms are included in the course syllabus for participating review.

In addition, faculty disclosure will be made at the beginning of each lecture.