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Cone-beam CT with image-guided navigation system appears to be safe, accurate
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The use of a cone-beam CT and image-guided spinal navigation system during surgery was found to be a feasible, effective alternative to fluoroscopy.
Researchers retrospectively analyzed eight patients who underwent lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with the use of cone-beam CT and image-guided spinal navigation system intraoperatively. All of the patients also underwent post-procedural CT and X-ray scans to determine the accuracy of cage placement.
In the eight patients, 22 interbody cages were placed, with 12 placed in quarters one to two, and 10 placed in quarters two to three — thus indicating the anterior half or middle portions of the disk space, according to the researchers. A mean 2.8 levels were treated, and none of the patients developed a sensory deficit or motor weakness stemming from the LLIF procedure.
The researchers concluded intraoperative cone-beam CT and image-guided spinal navigation appeared to be an accurate alternative to fluoroscopy for single- and multi-level LLIF cases, but larger studies will be necessary to confirm the benefits. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: Park reports he is a consultant to Medtronic, Globus and Biomet. He also receives royalties from Globus.
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