Abstract
Purpose
Resting‐state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs‐fMRI) is suggested to be a viable option for pre‐operative mapping for patients with brain tumours. However, it remains an open issue whether the tool is useful in the clinical setting compared to task‐based fMRI (T‐fMRI) and intraoperative mapping. Thus, a systematic review was conducted to investigate the usefulness of this technique.
Methods
A systematic literature search of rs‐fMRI methods applied as a pre‐operative mapping tool was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library electronic databases following PRISMA guidelines.
Results
Results demonstrated that 50% (six out of twelve) of the studies comparing rs‐fMRI and T‐fMRI showed good concordance for both language and sensorimotor networks. In comparison to intraoperative mapping, 86% (six out of seven) studies found a good agreement to rs‐fMRI. Finally, 87% (twenty out of twenty‐three) studies agreed that rs‐fMRI is a suitable and useful pre‐operative mapping tool.
Conclusions
rs‐fMRI is a promising technique for pre‐operative mapping in assessing the functional brain areas. However, the agreement between rs‐fMRI with other techniques, including T‐fMRI and intraoperative maps, is not yet optimal. Studies to ascertain and improve the sophistication in pre‐processing of rs‐fMRI imaging data are needed.