title: Intra-operative localisation of spinal level using pre-operative CT-guided placement of a flexible hook-wire marker.
abstract: Confident intra-operative localisation of thoracic spinal pathology remains challenging. Several strategies are routinely employed, including intra-operative fluoroscopy and pre-operative image-guided skin marking. These techniques are limited both by potential inaccuracy and inconvenience. Here we present a novel, efficient and accurate technique for intra-operative localisation of thoracic spinal pathology using pre-operative CT-guided placement of a flexible hook-wire marker.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. petesam@talk21.com
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sammon
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fouyas
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D009380:Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed