title: Skin markers for surgical planning for intradural lesions of the thoracic spine. Technical note.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preparation for surgery for thoracic intraspinal lesions commonly involves rather difficult X-ray procedures in the operating room. The object of this report is to inform neurosurgeons about a modified technique for preoperative surface localization of intraspinal thoracic pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adhesive, disposable radiographic skin markers placed at the presumed level of an intraspinal lesion are visualized along with the lesion on sagittal magnetic resonance scans of the thoracic spine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesion and the skin markers were clearly identified within the same field of view. The lesion itself rather than the vertebral body becomes the reference point for localization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative imaging with adhesive skin markers facilitates positioning and draping for surgery for thoracic intraspinal lesions. It may even replace intra-operative X-ray procedures in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: International Neuroscience Institute (INI), Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Steffen K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rosahl
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gharabaghi
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liebig
authors.forename: Christian Dalle
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Feste
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatagiba
authors.forename: Madjid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samii
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives; D004388:Dura Mater; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives