Image-guidance for endoscopic sinus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Image-guided surgery (IGS) is a critical tool. However, its clinical validity remains controversial. A review of indications and a consensus based on literature are presented.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
Traditional indications remain valid. Novel applications have emerged, and the reliability of IGS has been consistently endorsed. Although evidence is based on scattered reports and expert opinions, the use of IGS in approved instances is regarded as the state of the art.


CONCLUSIONS
IGS is reliable, and a scientific validation of outcomes would entail unethical strategies. An expanding spectrum of indications is anticipated, although IGS does not replace proper training.
Fried
Marvin P
MP
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA. mfried@montefiore.org
Parikh
Sanjay R
SR
Sadoughi
Babak
B
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation; D014584:User-Computer Interface