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New Imaging Method May Someday Make Spine Surgery Easier
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Posted on: 11/11/2003
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Spine surgery is complex. The bones, soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves in and around the spine are important and delicate. The goal of spine surgery is to fix the problem with the least amount of damage to other parts of the back.
Advances in imaging technology have helped spine surgeons in this goal. CT scans, MRIs, and two-dimensional fluoroscopy done before spine surgery have helped increase accuracy and decrease complications. Now along comes three-dimensional (3D) fluoroscopy. This new technology will let spine surgeons take 3D pictures during surgery. The images come in on a computer within five minutes. The surgeon no longer needs to carefully match the images to the body on the table. Instead, the computer does much of that difficult work.
These doctors tested 3D fluoroscopy for placing screws in the spine of cadavers (human bodies saved for study). They used very small incisions to place the screws. They also used 3D fluoroscopy to check the placement. They had 100 percent accuracy of screw placement in the lower back. Accuracy in the mid-back, which is more difficult, was 92 percent. These rates are very good compared to other surgical methods.
The authors note several benefits of 3D fluoroscopy:
CT scans are not necessary to prepare for surgery. This can save patients time and money. The images are also more accurate in some cases, since they are taken during surgery.
Accuracy is improved because the system is automated.
The surgeon no longer needs to go through the time-consuming step of matching the images to the spine during surgery.
The surgeon can check several different views of the spine in two or three dimensions.
The surgeon can check screw placement in the operating room.
There are two drawbacks to 3D fluoroscopy. The equipment and software will be expensive for hospitals to set up. Also, surgeons will have to take some time to learn how to use the new technique. Still, 3D fluoroscopy shows major promise as a way to improve spine surgery.
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References:
Langston T. Holly, MD, and Kevin T. Foley, MD. Three-Dimensional Fluoroscopy-Guided Percutaneous Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Placement: Technical Note. In Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. October 2003. Vol. 99. No. 3. Pp. 324-329.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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