Introduction
This Atlas was developed to identify the normal neuroanatomical structures of the entire brain in the MRI scan. This author hopes that the Atlas would help:- Teaching, testing, and learning the brain’s anatomy through interactive technology.
- Correlating accurately the location of lesions found on patients’ MRI scans with the anatomical structures.
- To know the topographic distances of anatomic structures from the cortex and central baselines during neurosurgical operations.
During intracranial operations, as one attempts to reach a lesion or to remove an infiltrating one, the knowledge of the location becomes essential as one operates deeper. The measured distances in this Atlas should be of help.
The MRI scan is that of a 31-year-old healthy male with no history of any abnormal neurological condition. It is one of the 10 MRI scans of healthy individuals, obtained with IRB approval to study the anatomical correlation of the brain with the MRI scan, taken in a 3Tesla scanner. This case was selected because more views were available.
.Javad Hekmat-panah, MD
Foreword
Many of the most important advances in understanding have come from anatomical discoveries. A classic example is Thomas Willis' description of the circle of Willis. Another area where accurate anatomical localization is critical is in the interpretation of and ultimate use of unexpected surgical results such as pallidotomy to treat movement disorders. The value of anatomical knowledge goes in the other direction too. As new treatments are dreamed up, they have to be jived with anatomical realities. In addition, the complementary presentation of brain and blood vessel scans is invaluable in matching symptoms to cardiovascular beds. Finally, I would add that Javad's atlas allows direct engagement with the head in all of its messy realities, realities that are airbrushed out of existence by the rampant use of diagrams. While a neurosurgeon's goal is to treat the brain, other intracranial and even cranial tissues may have "something to say" about the plausibility of an intended approach.
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