Initial experience with navigated intraoperative ultrasound for brain tumour surgery

Abstract Aims The use of intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) has been associated with prolonged survival in patients high grade glioma. However, iUS remains an under-utilised surgical adjunct many neurosurgical units due to greater familiarity CT and MR imaging. Navigated (NiUS) facilitates co-registration pre-operative imaging iUS, offering a number advantages over standard neuronavigation. aim this study was describe our initial experiences NiUS for brain tumour resection adults. Method We prospectively collected data on patient demographics, location histology, extent early post-operative outcome 9 consecutive patients. Brainlab neuronavigation (BrainLab, Germany) the BK5000 cranial probe (BK Medical, Denmark) were used all cases. also intent adjuncts including neurophysiology monitoring, DTI 5ALA. Results (6 male, 3 female). scans successfully co-registered Histological diagnoses GBM (7 patients), melanoma (1 patient) oligodendroglioma patient). conjunction following techniques – awake craniotomy (2), (all cases), monitoring (4 cases) 5ALA cases). Gross total achieved 8 mean operative time 4 hours 7 minutes, which is significantly lower than that reported recently published series involving intra-operative MRI. No suffered any deterioration neurological status period. Conclusion rapidly assimilated into workflow successful craniotomy, both enhancing non-enhancing tumours. Based experience we offer learning points positioning, set up equipment interpretation iUS. Further studies are required determine impact outcome.