Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery using a Skull Reference Array and Laser Surface Scanning

J. P. Greenfield; B. M. Howard; C. Huang; J. A. Boockvar

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1073131

min - Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, Table of Contents

Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2008; 51(4): 244-246
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1073131

Technical Note

Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery using a Skull Reference Array and Laser Surface Scanning

J. P. Greenfield¹ ^, ² , B. M. Howard¹ ^, ² , C. Huang³ , J. A. Boockvar¹ ^, ²

¹Weill Cornell Brain Tumor Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
²Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
³Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA

Abstract

Lesions of the skull base are increasingly being resected via the endoscopic, endonasal, transphenoidal approach. We have successfully treated 33 consecutive patients with pituitary lesions using this technique in combination with BrainLAB skull reference array and laser surface scanning for surgical navigation. This technique affords several advantages over neuronavigation based on adhesive-mounted fiducial registration. Rigid fixation in a Mayfield clamp is not required, which allows for flexibility with respect to positioning of the head during the procedure. This is particularly important as extension and flexion of the head provide greater exposure to the clivus and anterior skull base respectively. Also, this technique obviates the need for additional preoperative MRI, thereby reducing cost and delays.

Key words

pituitary surgery - endoscopic surgery - laser surface scanning

Full Text

References

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Correspondence

J. A. BoockvarMD

Weill Cornell Brain Tumor Center

Department of Neurological Surgery

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

525 E. 68th Street

Box 99

10021 New York

USA

Phone: +1/212/746 12 53

Fax: +1/212/746 19 96

Email: jab2029@med.cornell.edu