Coregistered ultrasound as a neurosurgical guide.
BACKGROUND
The dynamic nature and three dimensionality of ultrasound data can be utilized to enhance the capabilities of image guidance systems.


METHODS
Coregistration of ultrasound data was done using an electromagnetic digitizer, and subsequent ultrasound images were correlated with preoperative MRI studies. Thirty-two patients undergoing craniotomy were investigated in this manner.


RESULTS
Phantom testing done with a rigid stylus and 3D ultrasound tracker demonstrated an accuracy of 1.36 +/- 1.67 mm in determining the location of a point. Thirty-two clinical cases were coregistered without difficulty.


CONCLUSIONS
Coregistered ultrasound is a useful methodology that can aid in neuronavigation.
Pallatroni
H
H
Section of Neurosurgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, NH 03756, USA.
Hartov
A
A
McInerney
J
J
Platenik
L A
LA
Miga
M I
MI
Kennedy
F E
FE
Paulsen
K D
KD
Roberts
D W
DW
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014465:Ultrasonics