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Penn Neurosurgeons Navigate the Brain’s Pathways
Penn physicians were the first in the region
to use virtual reality, three-dimensional (3D)
brain imaging for surgical planning, evaluation
and education. Under a new clinical trial, they
can take that technology into the operating room
with a surgical navigation system that provides
an enhanced view of the brain during an actual
procedure.
For the past year, Penn neurosurgeons have used
a Dextroscope® to create interactive images
of the brain. By fusing computed
tomography (CT) and magnetic
resonance (MRI) images into three
dimensions, the technology allow surgeons to
look at the brain in ways similar to how they
would during surgery. Special goggles allow
the neurosurgeon to see the brain in three-dimensions
and interact with the image to plan the best
surgical technique for each patient. The technology
results in a less-invasive surgical process,
using smaller incisions.
Co-registered multiple imaging modalities
CT, MRI and MRA displayed as a stereoscopic
3D volumetric object in a virtual
reality environment. (Image
Courtesy: Volume Interactions)
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The addition of the DEXVue navigation system
sends the images generated by the Dextroscope
to the operating room where they are combined
with real-time images during the surgery. The
resulting image allows surgeons a better view
of the brain structures during surgery.
“This technology, combined with the diffusion
tensor imaging (DTI) from the new 3-Tesla MRI
allows us to accurately and safely navigate around
the eloquent motor and sensory tracts during
surgery,” said Gordon
Baltuch, MD, PhD, and director of
the Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery. “With
better mapping of the areas controlling motor
function and the senses, we can perform safer
surgery.”
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