Application of 3-dimensional ultrasound neuronavigation system in neurosurgery

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of 3-dimensional ultrasound neuronavigation system in neurosurgery.Methods: SonoWand(MISON) ultrasound neuronavigation system was used in 20 patients(13 male and 7 female,age 3-59 years old) undergoing neurosurgical procedures from July to September 2004.Location of lesion:frontal lobe 4 cases,temporal lobe 4,frontotemporal lobe 3,frontoparital lobe 2,cerebellum 1,multiple lesions 1,spinal cord 2,others 3.Characterization of the lesions:9 gliomas,2 metastasises,2 meningiomas,3 arachnoid cysts,1 septum pellucidum cyst,1 hydrocephalus,1 myelomalacia and 1 syringomyelia.Results: This cohort included 13 brain tumors patients and 14 lesions.The total and subtotal removal rate were 92.9%(13/14) and 7.1%(1/14),respectively.The length of the scalp incision and the size of bone flap were both smaller than those of the ordinary surgery.For 7 patients with lesions located near motor area of cerebrum,5 had un-affected muscle strength and 2 had temporarily muscle strength for 2 weeks.Four cysts were all successfully treated by neuroendoscopy under neuronavigation.The 2 spinal lesions were accurately localized and 1 hippocephalus patient received ventriculo-peritoneal shunt successfully under navigation.There was no complication attributable to MISON system.Conclusion: MISON system is accurate,safe,mini-invasive and reliable.It works in a real-time manner during neurosurgery,which solves the brain-shift problem and leads to a more radical tumor resection through a smaller incision and with minimal complications.