Electromagnetic Navigation in Cranial Neurosurgery

Electromagnetic cranial navigation is a valuable alternative to the more commonly used optoelectric navigation, and it has several advantages in different neurosurgical indications enhancing the accuracy of surgery. Obviating the use of sharp head fixation, it has become a very helpful tool in shunt surgery and in pediatric neurosurgery. In addition, its usefulness has been shown in neuroendoscopy, tumor surgery, aneurysm surgery, and skull base approaches. Here, we provide an overview on the technique of electromagnetic navigation and summarize its main indications and advantages in cranial neuronavigation.