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Assessment of an image-guided neurosurgery system using a head phantom
P Ballesteros-Zebadúa1, O A García-Garduño1, O O Galván de la Cruz2
1a Medical Physics Laboratory , National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery , Mexico.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|April 22, 2016
Summary
Image-guided neurosurgery systems face challenges. This study compared two registration methods, finding similar target registration errors but slightly better overall accuracy with infrared face scanning. Surgeons should carefully assess system accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
- Surgical Navigation
Background:
- Image-guided neurosurgery systems are crucial for precision.
- Evaluating the accuracy of image registration methods is essential for system reliability.
- Challenges and limitations in current systems necessitate comparative analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the application accuracy of two distinct image registration methods for a commercial image-guided neurosurgery system.
- To identify potential limitations and challenges associated with different registration techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an anthropomorphic head phantom with simulated intracranial targets.
- Employed two registration methods: CT surface marker fiducial registration and infrared laser face scanning surface registration.
- Measured deviations between predicted and actual target positions using a registered pointer and infrared camera.
Main Results:
- Infrared face scanner registration showed slightly better application accuracy (4.14 ± 0.64 mm) compared to CT surface marker registration (4.87 ± 0.97 mm).
- Mean target registration errors were comparable between fiducial registration (2.95 ± 1.4 mm) and surface registration (2.90 ± 1.3 mm).
- Largest deviations occurred in the skull base and posterior cranial fossa (up to 6.2 mm).
Conclusions:
- No significant difference was found in target registration error between the two methods.
- Application accuracy was marginally superior with surface face registration.
- Superficial registration errors are routinely assessable, but uncorrelated with target registration error, potentially leading surgeons to overlook procedural accuracy.
