Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
Pedicle Screw Placement Using an Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display in a Porcine Model
Published on: May 24, 2024
MR-guided vertebroplasty with augmented reality image overlay navigation
Jan Fritz1, Paweena U-Thainual, Tamas Ungi
1Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA, jfritz9@jhmi.edu.
Purpose:
To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided vertebroplasty at 1.5 Tesla using augmented reality image overlay navigation.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty-five unilateral vertebroplasties [5 of 25 (20%) thoracic, 20 of 25 (80%) lumbar] were prospectively planned in 5 human cadavers. A clinical 1.5-Teslan MRI system was used. An augmented reality image overlay navigation system and 3D Slicer visualization software were used for MRI display, planning, and needle navigation. Intermittent MRI was used to monitor placement of the MRI-compatible vertebroplasty needle. Cement injections (3 ml of polymethylmethacrylate) were performed outside the bore. The cement deposits were assessed on intermediate-weighted MR images. Outcome variables included type of vertebral body access, number of required intermittent MRI control steps, location of final needle tip position, cement deposit location, and vertebroplasty time.
Results:
All planned procedures (25 of 25, 100%) were performed. Sixteen of 25 (64%) transpedicular and 9 of 25 (36%) parapedicular access routes were used. Six (range 3-9) MRI control steps were required for needle placement. No inadvertent punctures were visualized. Final needle tip position and cement location were adequate in all cases (25 of 25, 100%) with a target error of the final needle tip position of 6.1 ± 1.9 mm (range 0.3-8.7 mm) and a distance between the planned needle tip position and the center of the cement deposit of 4.3 mm (range 0.8-6.8 mm). Time requirement for one level was 16 (range 11-21) min.
Conclusion:
MRI-guided vertebroplasty using image overlay navigation is feasible allowing for accurate vertebral body access and cement deposition in cadaveric thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies.
