Endo-Neuro-Sonography: Anatomic Aspects of the Ventricles

Abstract

To evaluate the usefulness of transendoscopic sonography, we have studied the use of a new sonographic probe of 6 F diameter in 11 fresh specimens. We achieved a precise imaging of well known anatomic structures and, moreover, obtained an additional dimension in endoscopy, since the sonographic probe adds a transverse scan to the endoscopic view, like a mini-CT at the tip of the probe. In this way, we also examined the guiding characteristics of this imaging technique, both in real time and on-line. Our results promise fur-ther interesting aspects of this technique in minimally invasive neurosurgery and suggest that further development and clinical experience seem to be justified.

Key words

Endo-neuro-sonography - Neuro-imaging - Intraoperative navigation - Endoscopic anatomy - Ventriculoscopy