Optimizing Strategies in Patients Affected by Tumors Infiltrating the Skull: A Single Center Experience

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Technology
• Oncology

Background:

• One-step cranioplasty with tumor removal is standard for neoplastic skull invasion.
• Mixed Reality (MR) technology offers potential advancements in surgical planning and intraoperative guidance.
• Evaluating the utility of an MR-integrated treatment algorithm for skull-invasive tumors is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the tangible utility and impact on outcomes of a treatment algorithm incorporating Mixed Reality (MR) for skull-invasive tumors.
• To compare MR-based navigation with standard navigation in the context of tumor removal and one-step cranioplasty.
• To evaluate the benefits of MR for preoperative planning, patient engagement, and intraoperative guidance.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 14 patients with skull-invasive tumors undergoing one-step cranioplasty and tumor removal.
• Utilized custom-made titanium alloy meshes for cranioplasty.
• Compared standard intraoperative navigation with MR-assisted navigation using MR headsets and the VSI platform for planning and guidance.

Main Results:

• MR significantly improved preoperative planning through enhanced anatomical visualization and patient/family communication.
• MR-assisted navigation provided better anatomical familiarity but showed slightly lower accuracy than standard navigation.
• All patients achieved satisfactory postoperative outcomes with no significant complications.

Conclusions:

• The MR-integrated treatment algorithm shows potential utility in managing skull-invasive tumors.
• MR enhances visualization and preoperative engagement, serving as a valuable complementary tool alongside standard navigation.
• The role of MR in neuro-oncological workflows is expected to expand with technological advancements.