title: Integration of a 3D ultrasound probe into neuronavigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) allows the generation of real-time data sets during surgical interventions. The recent innovation of 3D ultrasound probes permits the acquisition of 3D data sets without the need to reconstruct the volume by 2D slices. This article describes the integration of a tracked 3D ultrasound probe into a neuronavigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ultrasound device, provided with both a 2D sector probe and a 3D endocavity transducer, was integrated in a navigation system with an optical tracking device. Navigation was performed by fusion of preoperatively acquired MRI data and intraoperatively acquired ultrasound data throughout an open biopsy. Data sets with both probes were acquired transdurally and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The acquisition with the 3D probe, processing and visualization of the volume only took about 2 min in total. The volume data set acquired by the 3D probe appears more homogeneous and offers better image quality in comparison with the image data acquired by the 2D probe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The integration of a 3D probe into neuronavigation is possible and has certain advantages compared with a 2D probe. The risk of injury can be reduced, and the application can be recommended for certain cases, particularly for small craniotomies.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. andrea.muens@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Müns
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Meixensberger
authors: Sven
authors: S
authors: Arnold
authors: Arno
authors: A
authors: Schmitgen
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Arlt
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Chalopin
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Lindner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004453:Echoencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D038361:Neuronavigation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods