BACKGROUND The introduction of fluorescence-guided resection allows a better identification of tumor tissue and its more radical resection. We describe our experience with a modified exoscope to detect 5 ALA-induced fluorescence in neuronavigation-guided brain surgery or biopsy of malignant brain tumors. METHODS Thirty-eight patients with a suspected preoperative diagnosis of high-grade astro...

AIM To better understand the clinical characteristics of central neurocytoma (CN), as well as to assess the optimum therapeutic schedule. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of 32 patients with CN who visited our department between January 2008 and January 2013. We analyzed the clinical and radiological presentations, tumor characteristics, surgical strategies, and the prognos...

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy and the operative complications of implanting pedicle screws in the thoracic and lumbar spine, using computer-assisted surgery compared to the implantation technique using fluoroscopy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Hospital Universitário Cajuru PUC-PR from January 2000 to January 2009. Two groups of patients undergoing implant pedicle s...

BACKGROUND Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain are commonly treated in multimodality fashion, with endovascular embolization followed by surgical extirpation being one of the most effective strategies. Modern endovascular suites enable rotational angiography, also known as cone-beam CT angiography (CBCT-A), using the full capability of modern C-arm digital angiography systems. This ...

Neuronavigation has become an ubiquitous tool in the surgical management of brain tumors. This review describes the use and limitations of current neuronavigational systems for brain tumor biopsy and resection. Methods for integrating intraoperative imaging into neuronavigational datasets developed to address the diminishing accuracy of positional information that occurs over the course of brai...

BACKGROUND Transoval biopsy of cavernous sinus (CS) lesions is the last non-invasive diagnostic option in those 15% of patients in whom etiology remains unclear in spite of extensive neuroradiological imaging, clinical assessment, and laboratory evaluation. However, there are no guidelines defining indications and the most appropriate technique for this procedure. CASE DESCRIPTION We present ...

Within the surgical treatment of glioma, extended survival is predicated upon extent of resection which is limited by proximity and/or invasion of eloquent structures. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography is a very useful tool for guiding supramaximal surgical resection while preserving eloquence. Although gliomas can vary significantly in size, shape, and invasion of functionally signif...

AIM To investigate the application of neuronavigation in the implantation of depth electrodes in patients with epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-six patients with epilepsy who were implanted with depth electrodes using neuronavigation were assessed for accuracy of implantation and associated complications. RESULTS In the imaging navigation group, patients were implanted with 2-14 depth ...

OBJECTIVE We have investigated alternative ways to integrate intraoperative 3D ultrasound images and preoperative MR images in the same 3D scene for visualizing brain shift and improving overview and interpretation in ultrasound-based neuronavigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Multi-Modal Volume Visualizer (MMVV) was developed that can read data exported from the SonoWand neuronavigation system...

BACKGROUND Numerous observational studies indicate that more aggressive resection may prolong survival in glioblastoma patients. In Trondheim, Norway, intraoperative 3D ultrasound has been in increasing use since November 1997. The aim of the present study was to examine if the introduction of 3D ultrasound and neuronavigation (i. e., the SonoWand® system) may have had an impact on overall surv...