title: Functional neurosurgery aided by use of an electronic brain atlas.
abstract: The authors present their experience in the use of an atlas-based computer system for preoperative functional neurosurgery planning and postoperative analysis. It has also some potential for intraoperative support. The system is based on a deformable electronic version of "Atlas of Stereotaxy of the Human Brain" by Schaltenbrand and Wahren. This atlas is used for interactive segmentation and labelling of clinical data in two- and three dimensions, and for definition of stereotactic targets. The Schaltenbrand-Wahren atlas microseries are digitized, enhanced, segmented, labelled, aligned and organized into atlas volumes. They are mutually preregistered, and three-dimensional models of the structures are constructed. The atlas may be interactively registered with an actual patient's data. A computer system is developed which provides data interpolation, reformatting, registration, visualization, navigation, mensuration and path display and editing in two- and three dimensions. The system increases the accuracy of target definition, reduces the time of planning and the time of the procedure itself. It also constitutes a research platform for the construction of more advanced neurosurgery supporting tools and brain atlases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Nowinski
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D008839:Microelectrodes; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012984:Software; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*