title: [The utility of neuronavigation in the microsurgery for cerebral cavernous malformations].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the utility of neuronavigation in the microsurgery for cerebral cavernous malformations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, 47 patients with cavernous malformations were involved from January 1995 to December 2010. Fourteen cases admitted into hospital from January 1995 to December 2002 were treated without neuronavigation (conventional group), the focus localization was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, anatomic landmarks, and the experiences of the neurosurgeon. In the other 33 cases admitted after February 2002 to December 2010, surgeries were performed with neuronavigation using the Medtronic Stealth Station TREON or TRIA system (neuronavigation group). Excision of the cavernomas were all performed microsurgically, surrounding gliotic rim and hemosiderin stained tissue were resected in the case of epilepsy, and a few patients underwent extended hippocampal resection or multiple subpial transection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the use of neuronavigation, the extent of craniotomy reduced from 5.2 cm to 3.6 cm (P < 0.01), and deeper cavernoma focuses could be treated surgically. There were no changes with regard to the mean size of the cavernomas, the mean time of surgery and hospital stay (P > 0.05), but the mean time of anaesthesia was prolonged from 164 min to 197 min (P < 0.01). Cavernomas were resected completely in all 47 cases, which was confirmed by postoperative MRI recheck. The conditions of all patients were improved or remain unchanged, and no significant differences in the clinical outcome could be evaluated between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of neuronavigation-assisted microsurgery of intracranial cavernous malformations surgery, helps reduce the surgical trauma, and has security and reliability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China. xhw988@163.com
authors.forename: Hong-wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Da-ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qing-guo
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sha
authors.forename: Yu-ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hong-zhi
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D038361:Neuronavigation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult