[Computer-assisted intraoperative navigation at the anterior skull base]

Intraoperative 3D-navigation at the anterior skull base has become a very valuable tool in the last years. For a successful use the clinical pathways need a slight adaptation only to provide the radiologic imagery to the system. Established algorithms and standardized protocols have proven 3D-navigation systems as a valuable clinical tool, when used in conjunction with appropriate intraoperative quality assurance. Ease-of-use and reliable intraoperative quality assurance is an active area of research that, combined with adequate strategies for referencing the patient to preoperative high-resolution radiologic data, will make 3D-navigation at the lateral skull base a successful clinical tool as well.