Electromagnetic neuronavigation guided resection of intracranial astrocytomas

Objective To assess the clinical value of neuronavigation for intracranial astrocytomas microsurgery.Methods The neuronavigation system had been applied for microsurgery of intracranial astrocytomas in 23 cases.The diameters of tumors were from 2.8cm to 7.0cm,with a mean size at 5.5cm.The operation was guided by neuronavigation system.Results The localization of astrocytomas and its surrounding structure determined by neuronavigation was accurate with mean registration error of(1.38±0.45)mm.Re-examination by CT or MRI in short term after operation revealed that 18 from 23 cases were totally removed,3 were subtotally removed and 2 were partial removed.According to enhancement CT or MRI scaning,there were no residual tumor tissues left after operation in all patients whose tumor had been totally removed.Conclusion The neuronavigation system is accurate in real-time orientation of intracranial astrocytomas microsurgery.It increases the radical rate of intracranial astrocytomas microsurgery with favourable micro-invasive outcomes.