Abstract
Technical advances and pioneering surgeons have established neuroendoscopy as an accepted
diagnostic and therapeutic tool. The clinical indications for endoscopy, variety of
operative techniques and number of endoscopic surgeons continue to increase steadily.
However, there are fundamental limits to the scope of freehand endoscopy principally
governed by the need for direct vision of anatomical and pathological structures.
In addition, whilst the expert neuroendoscopist is only occasionally disorientated
by complex distorted anatomy, the rising number of novices are likely to be mislead
relatively often. We report the integration of neuroendoscopy with an optical neuronavigation
system to provide interactive image-guided neuroendoscopy. This combination both removes
the constraining requirement for direct vision and provides accurate localisation
to guide the surgeon during surgery. We describe the clinical application of this
method to two cases where image-guided endoscopy was essential to the safe completion
of the procedure.
Key words
Interactive image-guidance - Neuroendoscopy - Neuronavigation - Ventriculoscopy
