Historical, Current, and Future Intraoperative Imaging Modalities

Intraoperative imaging has become widely accepted in neurosurgery in recent years. The possibility to objectively determine the extent of tumor removal is highly advantageous. If the resection is incomplete, clinicians can attempt to remove the residual tumor that was missed during the same operation. Furthermore, the positioning of implants in spinal surgery, as well as in cranial surgery, can be controlled and modified during the procedure. Intraoperative imaging acts as immediate quality control and offers improved patient safety. This article gives a brief overview of the different intraoperative imaging modalities and their potential applications in modern neurosurgery.