Validation of a fiducial frame system for image-guided otologic surgery utilizing BAHA/spl reg/ bone screws

• Published in: 2006 3rd IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging--Macro to Nano : Arlington, WA, 6-9 April 2006 Vol. 3; pp. 518 - 521
• Main Authors: Balachandran, R., Labadie, R.F., Fitzpatrick, J.M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2006
• Subjects: Bones; Dentistry; Ear; Fasteners; Joining processes; Laboratories; Oncological surgery; Position measurement; Skull; Titanium
• ISBN: 078039576X; 9780780395763
• ISSN: 1945-7928; 1945-8452
• DOI: 10.1109/ISBI.2006.1624967

Image-guided otologic surgeries performed on healthy patients require non-invasive fiducial systems that achieve submillimetric target registration error (TRE). We have described such a system that attaches repeatably to a subject via a dental bite block. We now describe a new method for the clinical validation of such a system that can be conducted in the laboratory with no intraoperative data collection. The method relies on the participation of patients with bone-anchored hearing-aids (BAHAreg), which require the implantation of a titanium screw behind the ear. By attaching a fiducial marker to this screw, we can measure TRE at the screw with high accuracy. From those measurements we can estimate TRE at other positions. Results of measurements on a cadaveric skull agree with a previous study that required the implantation of intracranial posts and show that the system achieves submillimetric accuracy in the inner ear