title: Development of prototype for navigated real-time sonography for the head and neck region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, few imaging methods have been established for the head and neck region, in particular for soft tissues, that allow adequate visualization and simultaneously adequate real-time orientation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a new method using a navigated ultrasound device and a navigated surgical instrument that allows--even in the absence of bony landmarks--appropriate visualization and reliable orientation in real time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The practical applicability of the system was tested. Good handling and acceptance of the system could be shown. The "3-dimensional error" derived from the deviations in all 3 dimensions lies at 0.64 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this ultrasound-guided navigated procedure, an accurate approach of soft tissue structures with a surgical instrument is possible. Changes of the situs are represented in real time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Frankfurt/Main, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. matthias.helbig@kgu.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helbig
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krysztoforski
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krowicki
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Helbig
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gstoettner
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kozak
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods