A New Noninvasive Frameless Registration System for Stereotactic Cranial Biopsy

 Operative Neurosurgery 24:64–67, 2023

Although frame-based stereotactic biopsy is still considered the gold standard for brain biopsies, frameless robot-assisted stereotactic systems are now able to provide an equal level of safety and accuracy. However, both systems suffer from a lack of efficiency of the operative workflow.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of a new frameless and noninvasive registration tool Neurolocate (Renishaw). This tool, combined with an intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography imaging system like O-ARM (Medtronic), might facilitate the achievement and workflow of robot-assisted stereotactic intracranial biopsies.

METHODS: Neurolocate is a 3-dimensional fiducial tool fixed directly on the Neuromate (Renishaw) robot arm. It consists of 5 radio-opaque spherical fiducials, whose geometry is constant. This tool made it possible to carry out the coregistration then the biopsy in the same operating time, following a five-step procedure described here. We retrospectively extracted selected preliminary results from our initial experience.

RESULTS: Over 1 year, 23 consecutive adult patients were biopsied with Neurolocate in our center. The mean overall operative time, from patient’s installation to skin closure, was 97 minutes ± 27 (SD). The entire procedure took place in a single location unit (operating room), which facilitated workflow and surgical planning. No invasive gesture was performed outside of the operating time.

CONCLUSION: Neurolocate is a new frameless and noninvasive registration tool that could improve workflow and flexibility for operating room management and surgical planning. It may also increase the comfort of patients undergoing robot-assisted intracranial stereotactic biopsies. The accuracy and safety profile should be addressed in specific studies.

 

Frameless neuronavigation‑assisted brain biopsy with electromagnetic tracking

Acta Neurochirurgica (2022) 164:3317–3322

In recent years, thanks to several technological innovations, stereotactic cerebral biopsies have evolved from frame-based to frameless neuronavigation-assisted techniques.

Methods The authors provide herein a detailed step-by-step description of the technique, shedding light on surgical tips and how to avoid complications. The practical application of the technique is demonstrated with a high-quality video.

Conclusion The neuronavigation-assisted brain biopsy with electromagnetic tracking is a “true frameless” procedure. It represents a simple, safe, and effective innovation for frameless biopsy of cerebral lesions. This technique is time efficient, offering a high degree of accuracy required for the establishment of a definitive diagnosis, enabling optimal further treatment, and thus improving patient outcome.

Frameless robotic stereotactic biopsies: a consecutive series of 100 cases

Frameless robotic stereotactic biopsies- a consecutive series of 100 cases

J Neurosurg 122:342–352, 2015

Stereotactic biopsy procedures are an everyday part of neurosurgery. The procedure provides an accurate histological diagnosis with the least possible morbidity. Robotic stereotactic biopsy needs to be an accurate, safe, frameless, and rapid technique. This article reports the clinical results of a series of 100 frameless robotic biopsies using a Medtech ROSA device.

Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed their first 100 frameless stereotactic biopsies performed with the robotic ROSA device: 84 biopsies were performed by frameless robotic surface registration, 7 were performed by robotic bone fiducial marker registration, and 9 were performed by scalp fiducial marker registration. Intraoperative flat-panel CT scanning was performed concomitantly in 25 cases. The operative details of the robotic biopsies, the diagnostic yield, and mortality and morbidity data observed in this series are reported.

Results A histological diagnosis was established in 97 patients. No deaths or permanent morbidity related to surgery were observed. Six patients experienced transient neurological worsening. Six cases of bleeding within the lesion or along the biopsy trajectory were observed on postoperative CT scans but were associated with transient clinical symptoms in only 2 cases. Stereotactic surgery was performed with patients in the supine position in 93 cases and in the prone position in 7 cases. The use of fiducial markers was reserved for posterior fossa biopsy via a transcerebellar approach, via an occipital approach, or for pediatric biopsy.

Conclusions ROSA frameless stereotactic biopsies appear to be accurate and safe robotized frameless procedures.

Increased Frameless Stereotactic Accuracy With High-Field Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Captura de pantalla 2012-12-23 a la(s) 11.07.11 

Neurosurgery 71[ONS Suppl 2]:ons321–ons328, 2012

Frameless stereotaxy commonly registers preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to patients by using surface scalp anatomy or adhesive fiducial scalp markers. Patients’ scalps may shift slightly between preoperative imaging and final surgical positioning with pinion placement, introducing error. This might be reduced when frameless stereotaxy is performed in a high-field intraoperative MRI (iMRI), as patients are positioned before imaging. This could potentially improve accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare frameless stereotactic accuracy using a high-field iMRI with that using standard preoperative MRI.

METHODS: Data were obtained in 32 adult patients undergoing frameless stereotacticguided brain tumor surgery. Stereotactic images were obtained with 1.5T MRI scanner either preoperatively (14 patients) or intraoperative (18 patients). System-generated accuracy measurements and distances from the actual center of each fiducial marker to that represented by neuronavigation were recorded. Finally, accuracy at multiple deep targets was assessed by using a life-sized human head stereotactic phantom in which fiducials were placed on deformable foam to mimic scalp.

RESULTS: System-generated accuracy measurements were significantly better for the iMRI group (mean 6 SEM = 1.04 6 0.05 mm) than for the standard group (1.82 6 0.09 mm; P , .001). Measured distances from the actual center of scalp fiducial markers to that represented by neuronavigation were also significantly smaller for iMRI (1.72 6 0.10 mm) in comparison with the standard group (3.17 6 0.22 mm; P , .001). Deep accuracy in the phantom model was significantly better with iMRI (1.67 6 0.12 mm) than standard imaging (2.28 6 0.14 mm; P = .003).

CONCLUSION: Frameless stereotactic accuracy is increased by using high-field iMRI compared with standard preoperative imaging.

Electromagnetic Image-Guided Biopsy of Cerebral Lesions

Neurosurgery 70[ONS Suppl 1]:ons29–ons33, 2012 DOI: 10.1227/NEU.0b013e31822d75af

In recent years, frameless navigation techniques have been reported to be safe and effective for biopsy of cerebral lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a technique of frameless, pinless electromagnetic-guided biopsy for brain lesions with the Medtronic Stealth AxiEM.

METHODS: Prospective data were collected on consecutive brain biopsies performed by a single surgeon (P.L.G.) with this technology between October 2007 and May 2010. One trajectory was made per lesion with multiple specimens taken for analysis. Outcome measures included measures of accuracy, histological yield, and complication rate.

RESULTS: A total of 150 biopsies were performed in 149 patients (84 male and 65 female patients; age range, 19.8-83.8 years). The consultant performed 49 procedures, supervising a trainee in the others. In only 1 case (0.7%) was there nondiagnosis consequent of a registration error and inaccurate trajectory. In 4 other cases (2.7%), no specific diagnosis was established, but abnormal tissue was identified histologically, and postoperative imaging confirmed accurate targeting of these lesions. There were no instances of intracranial hemorrhage or significant morbidity and no deaths directly attributable to the procedure. Four patients (2.7%) died within 30 days of the procedure but not of complications of surgery. One patient suffered a transitory neurological deficit.

CONCLUSION: Electromagnetic navigation is proven to be a simple, safe, and effective innovation for frameless and pinless biopsy of cerebral lesions. This technique is time efficient, and elimination of frame placement enhances patient comfort and facilitates the use of local anesthetic technique.