[Application of neuronavigation in stomatology: report of three cases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical value of neuronavigation system in stomatology.


METHODS
The clinical data of 3 patients were reviewed. Thin-slice CT scanning was conducted on the 3 patients and the CT data were input into the CT neuronavigation system that in turn guided the operations later. Patient I with trigeminal neuralgia, aged 51, underwent puncture of oval foramen and radiofrequency thermo-coagulation therapy. Patient II of canister shots injury, aged 32, with 3 metal grains in the face and 1 metal grain in the neck, underwent removal of the metal grains. Patient III with relapse of tongue cancer after operation, aged 62, underwent plantation of radiate granules.


RESULTS
Guided by neuronavigation, puncture was accurate and curative effect was excellent in patient I, and no visible complication was seen; all the metal grains in face were found and removed in patient II, however, because of registration error, the metal grain in neck failed to be positioned; and the radiate granules were implanted accurately in patient III.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuronavigation significantly increases the successful rates of puncture into the oval foramen, orientation of metal grains, and implantation of radiate granules, and reduces the complications rate.
Zhu
Kai
K
Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China.
Zhang
Hai-zhong
HZ
Chen
Peng
P
Xi
Qing
Q
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed