Endo-neuro-sonography: anatomic aspects of the ventricles.

To evaluate the usefulness of transendoscopic sonography, we have studied the use of a new sonographic probe of 6 F diameter in 11 fresh specimens. We achieved a precise imaging of well known anatomic structures and, moreover, obtained an additional dimension in endoscopy, since the sonographic probe adds a transverse scan to the endoscopic view, like a mini-CT at the tip of the probe. In this way, we also examined the guiding characteristics of this imaging technique, both in real time and on-line. Our results promise further interesting aspects of this technique in minimally invasive neurosurgery and suggest that further development and clinical experience seem to be justified.