Combined frameless stereotactical biopsy and intraoperative cerebral angiography by 3D-rotational fluoroscopy with intravenous contrast administration: a feasibility study

• Published in: BMC medical imaging Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 94
• Main Authors: Linsenmann, Thomas, Cattaneo, Andrea, März, Alexander, Weiland, Judith, Stetter, Christian, Nickl, Robert, Westermaier, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03.06.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: 3 D rotational fluoroscopy; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anatomy; Anesthesia; Angiography; Biopsy; Blood vessels; Brain Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Central Nervous System Fungal Infections - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Angiography - methods; Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Computed tomography; Computer vision; Contrast agents; Contrast media; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; CT imaging; Datasets; Electronics in navigation; Feasibility Studies; Fluoroscopes; Fluoroscopy; Fluoroscopy - methods; Frameless systems; General anesthesia; Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Histoplasmosis - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Image acquisition; Image contrast; Image processing; Image quality; Image-Guided Biopsy - methods; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Injections, Intravenous; Intraoperative Care - methods; Intraoperative imaging; Intravenous administration; Iodine; Iodine - administration & dosage; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medical care; Medical imaging; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Middle Aged; Navigation systems; Neuronavigation - methods; Neurosurgery; Patient Positioning; Patients; Quality management; Radiation; Skin; Stereotaxy; Surgery; Timing; Trajectory planning; Tumors; Workflow; United States > US; Frameless systems; 3 D rotational fluoroscopy; Intraoperative imaging; Neurosurgery; Stereotaxy
• ISSN: 1471-2342; 1471-2342
• DOI: 10.1186/s12880-021-00622-3

Mobile 3-dimensional fluoroscopes are an integral part of modern neurosurgical operating theatres and can also be used in combination with free available image post processing to depict cerebral vessels. In preparation of stereotactic surgery, preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) may be required for image fusion. Contrast CT may be of further advantage for image fusion as it regards the vessel anatomy in trajectory planning. Time-consuming in-hospital transports are necessary for this purpose. Mobile 3D-fluoroscopes may be used to generate a CT equal preoperative data set without an in-hospital transport. This study was performed to determine the feasibility and image quality of intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy with intravenous contrast administration in combination with stereotactical procedures. 6 patients were included in this feasibility study. After fixation in a radiolucent Mayfield clamp a rotational fluoroscopy scan was performed with 50 mL iodine contrast agent. The image data sets were merged with the existing MRI images at a planning station and visually evaluated by two observer. The operation times were compared between the frame-based and frameless systems ("skin-to-skin" and "OR entry to exit"). The procedure proves to be safe. The entire procedure from fluoroscope positioning to the transfer to the planning station took 5-6 min with an image acquisition time of 24 s. In 5 of 6 cases, the fused imaging was able to reproduce the vascular anatomy accurately and in good quality. Both time end-points were significantly shorter compared to frame-based interventions. The images could easily be transferred to the planning and navigation system and were successfully merged with the MRI data set. The procedure can be completely integrated into the surgical workflow. Preoperative CT imaging or transport under anaesthesia may even be replaced by this technique in the future. Furthermore, hemorrhages can be successfully visualized intraoperatively and might prevent time delays in emergencies.