Description
Functional MRI (fMRI) of the brain is a non-invasive imaging technique, using radio waves and a strong magnetic field, to image the brain activity of a patient prior to undergoing brain surgery for tumors or epilepsy. It is based on the increase in blood flow to the local vasculature when parts of the brain are activated and helps to determine the location of vital areas of brain function. fMRI images capture blood oxygen levels in parts of the brain that are responsible for perception, cognition, and movement allowing neurosurgeons to operate with less possibility of harming areas that are critical to the patient’s quality of life. fMRI is primarily used for presurgical planning, operative risk assessment and therapeutic follow-up.

fMRI as an Alternative to the Invasive Wada Test and Direct Electrical Stimulation — fMRI is considered an alternative to the Wada test and direct electrical stimulation as it is a non-invasive method for location of vital brain areas. The Wada test is used for the pre-operative evaluations of patients with brain tumors and seizures to determine which side of the brain is responsible for vital cognitive functions, e.g., speech and memory. It can assess the surgical risk of damaging the vital areas of the brain. The Wada test is invasive, involving an angiography procedure to guide a catheter to the internal carotid where a barbiturate is injected, putting one hemisphere of the brain to sleep. Direct electrical stimulation mapping is invasive requiring the placement of electrodes in the brain. The electrodes are used to stimulate multiple cortical sites in the planned area of resection to allow the surgeons to identify and mark which areas can be safely resected.^10,11

fMRI and Brain Tumors — fMRI may significantly affect therapeutic planning in patients who have potentially resectable brain tumors. Due to its non-invasiveness, its relatively high spatial resolution, and its pre-operative results, fMRI is used before surgery in the evaluation of patients with brain tumors. fMRI may have a significant role in mapping lesions that are located in close proximity to vital areas of brain function (language, sensory motor, and visual). It can determine the precise spatial relationship between the lesion and adjacent functionally essential parenchyma, allowing removal of as much pathological tissue as possible during resection of brain tumors without compromising essential brain functions. fMRI provides an alternative to other invasive tests, such as the Wada test and direct electrical stimulation.¹²

fMRI and Seizures — Brain fMRI can influence the diagnostic and therapeutic decisions of the seizure team, thereby affecting the surgical approach and outcomes. Brain surgery is often the treatment for patients with refractory epilepsy, especially patients with a single seizure focus. fMRI can be used to image and localize abnormal brain function in patients with seizures. fMRI can help determine brain functions (language, sensory motor, and visual) of areas bordering the lesion, resulting in better outcomes with less neurologic deficit.⁷

Policy:
Functional brain MRI is considered MEDICALLY NECESSARY for the following indications:

Pre-Operative/Procedural Evaluation:
In the following where fMRI may have a significant role in the mapping a lesion in relation to eloquent cortex (i.e., language, motor, sensory and visual centers) 

• Focal brain lesion (i.e., tumor or vascular malformation) for presurgical planning
• Brain tumor for radiation treatment planning
• Pre-operative evaluation for epilepsy surgery

Post-Operative/Procedural Evaluation:

• Therapeutic follow-up. A documented medical reason must clearly explain the medical necessity for follow up (i.e., evaluation of post-treatment eloquent cortex).

References: 

1. American College of Radiology, American Society of Neuroradiology, Society for Pediatric Radiology. ACR–ASNR–SPR practice parameter for the performance of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain. American College of Radiology. Updated 2017. Accessed December 21, 2021. https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Practice-Parameters/fmr-brain.pdf
2. Jiao Y, Lin F, Wu J, et al. Brain Arteriovenous Malformations Located in Language Area: Surgical Outcomes and Risk Factors for Postoperative Language Deficits. World Neurosurg. Sep 2017;105:478-491. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2017.05.159
3. Silva MA, See AP, Essayed WI, Golby AJ, Tie Y. Challenges and techniques for presurgical brain mapping with functional MRI. Neuroimage Clin. 2018;17:794-803. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2017.12.008
4. Stancanello J, Cavedon C, Francescon P, et al. BOLD fMRI integration into radiosurgery treatment planning of cerebral vascular malformations. Med Phys. Apr 2007;34(4):1176-84. doi:10.1118/1.2710326
5. Vysotski S, Madura C, Swan B, et al. Preoperative FMRI Associated with Decreased Mortality and Morbidity in Brain Tumor Patients. Interdiscip Neurosurg. Sep 2018;13:40-45. doi:10.1016/j.inat.2018.02.001
6. Benjamin CFA, Dhingra I, Li AX, et al. Presurgical language fMRI: Technical practices in epilepsy surgical planning. Hum Brain Mapp. Oct 2018;39(10):4032-4042. doi:10.1002/hbm.24229
7. Janecek JK, Swanson SJ, Sabsevitz DS, et al. Language lateralization by fMRI and Wada testing in 229 patients with epilepsy: rates and predictors of discordance. Epilepsia. Feb 2013;54(2):314-22. doi:10.1111/epi.12068
8. Kovács A, Tóth L, Glavák C, et al. Integrating functional MRI information into conventional 3D radiotherapy planning of CNS tumors. Is it worth it? J Neurooncol. Dec 2011;105(3):629-37. doi:10.1007/s11060-011-0633-2
9. Wang M, Ma H, Wang X, et al. Integration of BOLD-fMRI and DTI into radiation treatment planning for high-grade gliomas located near the primary motor cortexes and corticospinal tracts. Radiat Oncol. Mar 8 2015;10:64. doi:10.1186/s13014-015-0364-1
10. Binder JR. Functional MRI is a valid noninvasive alternative to Wada testing. Epilepsy Behav. Feb 2011;20(2):214-22. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.08.004
11. Bizzi A, Blasi V, Falini A, et al. Presurgical functional MR imaging of language and motor functions: validation with intraoperative electrocortical mapping. Radiology. Aug 2008;248(2):579-89. doi:10.1148/radiol.2482071214
12. Petrella JR, Shah LM, Harris KM, et al. Preoperative functional MR imaging localization of language and motor areas: effect on therapeutic decision making in patients with potentially resectable brain tumors. Radiology. Sep 2006;240(3):793-802. doi:10.1148/radiol.2403051153
13. American College of Radiology, American Society of Neuroradiology, Society for Pediatric Radiology. ACR–ASNR–SPR practice parameter for the performance of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain. American College of Radiology. Updated 2017. Accessed December 21, 2021. https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Practice-Parameters/fmr-brain.pdf
14. Jiao Y, Lin F, Wu J, et al. Brain Arteriovenous Malformations Located in Language Area: Surgical Outcomes and Risk Factors for Postoperative Language Deficits. World Neurosurg. Sep 2017;105:478-491. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2017.05.159
15. Silva MA, See AP, Essayed WI, Golby AJ, Tie Y. Challenges and techniques for presurgical brain mapping with functional MRI. Neuroimage Clin. 2018;17:794-803. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2017.12.008
16. Stancanello J, Cavedon C, Francescon P, et al. BOLD fMRI integration into radiosurgery treatment planning of cerebral vascular malformations. Med Phys. Apr 2007;34(4):1176-84. doi:10.1118/1.2710326
17. Vysotski S, Madura C, Swan B, et al. Preoperative FMRI Associated with Decreased Mortality and Morbidity in Brain Tumor Patients. Interdiscip Neurosurg. Sep 2018;13:40-45. doi:10.1016/j.inat.2018.02.001
18. Benjamin CFA, Dhingra I, Li AX, et al. Presurgical language fMRI: Technical practices in epilepsy surgical planning. Hum Brain Mapp. Oct 2018;39(10):4032-4042. doi:10.1002/hbm.24229
19. Janecek JK, Swanson SJ, Sabsevitz DS, et al. Language lateralization by fMRI and Wada testing in 229 patients with epilepsy: rates and predictors of discordance. Epilepsia. Feb 2013;54(2):314-22. doi:10.1111/epi.12068
20. Kovács A, Tóth L, Glavák C, et al. Integrating functional MRI information into conventional 3D radiotherapy planning of CNS tumors. Is it worth it? J Neurooncol. Dec 2011;105(3):629-37. doi:10.1007/s11060-011-0633-2
21. Wang M, Ma H, Wang X, et al. Integration of BOLD-fMRI and DTI into radiation treatment planning for high-grade gliomas located near the primary motor cortexes and corticospinal tracts. Radiat Oncol. Mar 8 2015;10:64. doi:10.1186/s13014-015-0364-1
22. Binder JR. Functional MRI is a valid noninvasive alternative to Wada testing. Epilepsy Behav. Feb 2011;20(2):214-22. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.08.004
23. Bizzi A, Blasi V, Falini A, et al. Presurgical functional MR imaging of language and motor functions: validation with intraoperative electrocortical mapping. Radiology. Aug 2008;248(2):579-89. doi:10.1148/radiol.2482071214
24. Petrella JR, Shah LM, Harris KM, et al. Preoperative functional MR imaging localization of language and motor areas: effect on therapeutic decision making in patients with potentially resectable brain tumors. Radiology. Sep 2006;240(3):793-802. doi:10.1148/radiol.2403051153

Coding Section

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive.

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association technology assessment program (TEC) and other nonaffiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies, and accredited national guidelines.

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