title: Interactive image-guided surgery of the spine--use of the ISG/Elekta Viewing Wand to aid intraoperative localization of a sacral osteoblastoma.
abstract: The intraoperative localization of small osteoid osteomas and osteoblastomas of the spine is often difficult. The authors report a patient with a small sacral osteoblastoma in whom the experimental use of an Interactive Image-Guidance Stereotactic system, to aid localization, is described. The Elekta Viewing Wand is a spatial localization device primarily designed for intracranial procedures. We evaluated its potential role in the localization and minimally invasive excision of a sacral osteoblastoma in this patient. A basic assessment of the limitations encountered in extracranial use of this system is presented and possible solutions to minimize these problems are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Sandeman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cobby
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019723:Endoscopes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018215:Osteoblastoma / Q000601:surgery*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D016634:Radiosurgery; D012447:Sacrum; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*