Combined image guidance and intraoperative computed tomography in facilitating endoscopic orientation within and around the paranasal sinuses.
BACKGROUND
The utility of image guidance (image-guided surgery [IGS]) and intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning as a tool for less experienced endoscopic surgeons to aid in localization of paranasal sinus and skull base anatomic structures was evaluated.


METHODS
Partial endoscopic dissection was performed on cadaver specimens by three fellowship trained rhinologists. Anatomic sites within and around the sinuses were tagged with radio-opaque markers. Otolaryngology residents identified tagged anatomic sites using four successive levels of technology: endoscopy alone (simulating outpatient clinic), endoscopy plus preoperative CT (simulating endoscopic sinus surgery [ESS] without IGS), endoscopy plus IGS registered to preoperative CT (simulating current ESS with IGS), and endoscopy plus IGS registered to real-time intraoperative CT. Responses were graded as follows: consensus rhinologist answer (4 points), close answer without clinically significant difference (3 points), within anatomic region but definite clinical difference (2 points), outside of anatomic region (1 point), no answer (0 points).


RESULTS
Eleven residents participated. Of 20 specific anatomic sites, IGS-intraoperative CT provided the most accurate anatomic identification at 16 sites. For 8 sites, IGS-intraoperative CT had a significantly higher score than endoscopy alone (p < 0.05; eta2 = 0.29-0.67). For 6 sites, IGS-preoperative CT scan had a significantly higher score than endoscopy alone (p < 0.05; eta2 = 0.30-0.67). All participants found that IGS-intraoperative CT scan made them most comfortable in identifying anatomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined IGS and intraoperative CT scan technology may be an instructional adjunct for less experienced paranasal sinus surgeons for dissection and evaluation of unfamiliar or distorted anatomy.
Wise
Sarah K
SK
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Sarah.wise@emoryhealthcare.org
Harvey
Richard J
RJ
Goddard
John C
JC
Sheahan
Patrick O
PO
Schlosser
Rodney J
RJ
D002102:Cadaver; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*