Modified, multipurpose, radiolucent sugita head frame for intraoperative cerebral angiography

Although several radiolucent head-fixation devices have been developed to allow intraoperative cerebral angiography, no device provides satisfactory freedom to obtain the most suitable head position. We recently designed a multipurpose radiolucent Sugita head frame (modified radiolucent Sugita frame) with satisfactory degrees of freedom and rigidity for intraoperative head positioning and head holding, respectively.

A short arm and a ring joint, made of engineering plastic, were added to the prototype radiolucent Sugita frame, to permit side-tilting movements of the frame. The shape of all handles at the joints was also changed and the size was enlarged, to facilitate adjustment of the head position.

We used this modified radiolucent Sugita frame in 20 cases involving aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. The frame performed satisfactorily in all cases, in terms of firm head fixation and unrestrained freedom of head positioning at the surgeon's request. The modified radiolucent Sugita frame was evaluated with respect to its resistance to physical forces. The physical strength of the modified radiolucent Sugita frame is almost equivalent to that of the metallic Sugita frame and is considered sufficient for clinical usage.

With its rigidity, satisfactory degrees of freedom, and ease of handling, the clinical applicability of the dramatically improved radiolucent head frame enables us to obtain satisfactory intraoperative angiograms.