Image-guided surgical navigation in otology and neurotology.
OBJECTIVE
To review the impetus for the development of image-guided surgical navigation, its technologies, and the few prior outcome studies, and to make recommendations for its role in otologic and neurotologic surgery.


METHODS
A literature search of English language publications by Medline from 1966 to 1998, using the key words: stereotactic, stereotaxy, navigation, intraoperative, and surgery.


METHODS
Attempted review of the literature on image-guided surgical navigation in otology and neurotology revealed little relevant data.


CONCLUSIONS
There are many possible applications for image-guided surgical navigation in otology and neurotology, but technologic limitations preclude its extensive application. There are no data available that assesses whether image-guided surgical navigation can reduce operative time, hospital stay, or cost. Clinical outcomes have not been studied in patients with otologic and neurotologic disease. In this scenario, image-guided surgical navigation is an adjuvant tool that aids in navigation of the skull base but is not a substitute for sound surgical principles and knowledge of microsurgical anatomy.
Selesnick
S H
SH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Weill College of Medicine of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Kacker
A
A
D015982:Bias; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D012042:Registries; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*