[Computerized atlas for image-guided stereotactic functional neurosurgery]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Imaging
• Computational Anatomy

Context:

• Stereotactic neurosurgery planning relies on accurate anatomical localization.
• Existing methods for brain atlas integration can be labor-intensive and prone to error.
• The Schaltenbrand and Wahren (SW) atlas is a foundational resource in stereotactic neurosurgery.

Purpose:

• To develop and integrate a computerized version of the Schaltenbrand and Wahren stereotactic brain atlas into a PC-based planning system.
• To enable interactive registration of the digital SW atlas with patient neuroimaging data.
• To present the computational tools and applications for enhanced neurosurgical planning.

Summary:

• Digitized and labeled SW atlas plates allow for interactive registration with patient data using linear and non-linear transformations.
• The system facilitates navigation through brain slices, synchronized multi-view displays, and zoom functionality for precise localization of surgical targets.
• Users can interactively update atlas position, simulate lesion location and volume, and optimize surgical path selection.

Impact:

• Increased accuracy in defining surgical targets.
• Reduced number of electrode tracts and overall surgery duration.
• Decreased incidence of surgical complications through enhanced planning and navigation.