Neuronavigation is a techniqe now in common useage in neurosurgery. The principle is very similar to satellite navigation, the map is a patients own CT or MRI scan loaded onto a computer. The satellites are an array of cameras able to see in 3D, and the navigation tool is a surgical instrument visible to the cameras. This technology allows real-time navigation during surgery of the brain or spine.
Recent innovations now allow the patient’s head to be mobile rather than fixed during surgery, this technique uses electromagnetic rather than optic tracking, and has allowed us to develop brain biopsy procedures under local anaesthesia.
This video illustrates how one our navigation system works
This example shows neuronavigation being used during a transsphenoidal operation for a recurrent pituitary tumour. Due to previous surgery, many of the anatomical landmarks that allow a surgeon to safely fing the pituitary gland are missing. Use of neuronavigation allows a safe and quick exposure of the pituitary tumor with a reduction in operative complications.