BACKGROUND: Tumors of the skull base frequently encase or extend into normal neural and vascular structures. Preoperative planning and intraoperative identification of anatomic landmarks is especially important in complex tumors since it helps avoid or minimize surgical morbidity. METHODS: By creating a surgical plan the image guidance software offers help in the establishment of a surgical approach. During surgery, the neuronavigation system displays the location of anatomic landmarks of the skull base regardless of any erosion or displacement. RESULTS: A series of 10 patients with complex tumors in various skull base locations is reported. Osseous structures are easily identified using the CT-based image guidance since these landmarks do not shift due to CSF loss. Image fusion of CT and MRI data gives additional information on the displacement of soft tissue structures. Image fusion in a substraction mode is helpful when a tumor has invaded bony structures or when the encasement of major vessels has to be visualized. CONCLUSION: The preoperative data preparation (planning of the approach, image fusion) plays a vital role in modern neuronavigation and contributes useful information during surgery for complex skull base tumors. Such advanced neuronavigation increases the efficacy and safety of intraoperative maneuvers. Eroded and distorted anatomic landmarks are not subject to a significant amount of intraoperative shift throughout the surgical procedure.
BACKGROUND:Tumors of the skull base frequently encase or extend into normal neural and vascular structures. Preoperative planning and intraoperative identification of anatomic landmarks is especially important in complex tumors since it helps avoid or minimize surgical morbidity. METHODS: By creating a surgical plan the image guidance software offers help in the establishment of a surgical approach. During surgery, the neuronavigation system displays the location of anatomic landmarks of the skull base regardless of any erosion or displacement. RESULTS: A series of 10 patients with complex tumors in various skull base locations is reported. Osseous structures are easily identified using the CT-based image guidance since these landmarks do not shift due to CSF loss. Image fusion of CT and MRI data gives additional information on the displacement of soft tissue structures. Image fusion in a substraction mode is helpful when a tumor has invaded bony structures or when the encasement of major vessels has to be visualized. CONCLUSION: The preoperative data preparation (planning of the approach, image fusion) plays a vital role in modern neuronavigation and contributes useful information during surgery for complex skull base tumors. Such advanced neuronavigation increases the efficacy and safety of intraoperative maneuvers. Eroded and distorted anatomic landmarks are not subject to a significant amount of intraoperative shift throughout the surgical procedure.
Authors: Ali Kurtsoy; Ahmet Menku; Bulent Tucer; I Suat Oktem; Hidayet Akdemir; R Kemal Koc Journal: Neurosurg Rev Date: 2004-04-08 Impact factor: 3.042
Authors: Ana Flores-Justa; Sabino Luzzi; Alice Giotta Lucifero; Juan F Villalonga; Amparo Saenz; José María Santin-Amo; Matias Baldoncini; Alvaro Campero Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2021-04-12
Authors: Eduard H J Voormolen; Peter A Woerdeman; Marijn van Stralen; Herke Jan Noordmans; Max A Viergever; Luca Regli; Jan Willem Berkelbach van der Sprenkel Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-07-25 Impact factor: 3.240