Neurosurgeons and Patients Benefit from Real-Time Surgical Navigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heather Monroe ([email protected])847/378-0500

Neurosurgeons and Patients Benefit from Real-Time Surgical Navigation in the Operating Room

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL (January 23, 2002) --These days, neurosurgeons are relying on more than their own eyes and hands to assist them with intricate cranial procedures in the operating room. Surgical navigation consisting of optical probes is being incorporated into surgical systems in operating rooms across the country. Because of the development of digital imaging systems in the last 15 years, neurosurgeons have seen the incorporation of image-guided procedures as part of regular neurosurgical practice. Authors of the study, "Cranial Surgery Navigation Aided by a Compact Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imager," from the June 21, 2001, issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery, used a magnetic resonance imager or intraoperative MRI, to remove intracranial lesions.

The study was conducted by a team of neurosurgeons from the New Jersey Medical School including Michael Schulder, MD; Danny Liang, MD and Peter Carmel, MD. They report their experience with 25 patients who underwent removal of an intracranial lesion with the assistance of an imaging device. The imaging system used provided high-quality intraoperative imaging and accurate surgical navigation, with minimal disruption in the operating room.

"Intraoperative MR imaging devices have been created to overcome the limitations of CT scanning," said Michael Schulder, MD. "Independent of the need for navigation, the information obtained in these images may also be of great value to confirm that the goals of surgery, such as tumor removal, have been met and that complications, such as hematoma (blood clot in the brain), have been avoided."

The authors found that optical navigation should remain accurate with no movement of the patient's head. In four patients, MR imaging revealed additional tumor that was then resected. In five others, visual examination of the operative field was inconclusive, but complete tumor removal was confirmed on the intraoperative image. In all 21 patients who underwent early postoperative diagnostic MR imaging, the findings on the final intraoperative MR image were confirmed. There were no complications associated with the use of the image-guided system.

Since the introduction of neurosurgical localization consisting of a careful neurological exam, additional technological advancements have been made. Additional advancements in the operating room include plain x-ray films, CT and MR studies, stereotactic frames and frameless stereotaxy. Each of these technological advances has not only improved neurosurgeons' ability to diagnose intracranial lesions, but has also made brain surgery procedures even more accurate and precise.

All of these continued advancements provide real-time imaging during surgery through use of the best available technology to facilitate improved surgical navigation. The use of image-guided systems in the operating room provides exceptionally high quality intraoperative imaging and extremely accurate surgical navigation, with virtually no disruption of routine in a standard operating room. Intraoperating imaging systems are just the beginning of future advances in neurosurgical information-gathering devices.

The Journal of Neurosurgery is the scientific publication of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons is a scientific and educational association with nearly 5,800 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spinal column, spinal cord, brain, nervous system and peripheral nerves.

###