Application of virtual reality techniques in preoperative surgical planning for intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms

• Published in: Jie fang jun yi xue za zhi Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 393 - 397
• Main Authors: Shou-sen, WANG, Hui-jian, ZHANG, Jun-jie, JING, Liang-feng, WEI, WANG, Ru-mi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: Beijing People's Military Medical Press 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Aneurysm; Aneurysms; Angiography; Computed tomography; Computer applications; Data processing; Head; Neck; Scanning; Surgery; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 0577-7402

Objective 　To investigate the value of virtual reality (VR) technique in the surgical planning for anterior circulation aneurysms of Willis circle. Methods 　A total of 50 patients with 57 aneurysms confirmed by CT angiography in the anterior circle of Willis were enrolled in this study. In preoperative Hunt-Hess scale, grade Ⅰ was designated in 7 patients, grade Ⅱ in 22, grade Ⅲ in 17, grade Ⅳ in 3, grade Ⅴ in 1 patient. Among the aneurysms, 16 were small (≤5mm in diameter), 28 medium (5-15mm), 10 large (15-25mm) and 3 giant (≥25mm) in size. The thin-slice head scanning data were achieved by 64-slice spiral CT machine. These data was then transferred into Dextroscope image workstation. The virtual imaging system generated clear and vivid virtual images. We compared the findings between simulation surgical operation and actual operation. Results 　VR system make the operator felt "personally on the scene" and was able to communicate with the imaging. It could not only visually display the anatomical structures