The vectorial technique: a novel neuronavigation-based tool to measure angles of exposure during skull base dissections.
J Neurosurg
; 141(2): 564-569, 2024 Aug 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38364224
ABSTRACT
The angle of exposure (AnE) represents a metric that is particularly useful for analyzing circular bony structures during skull base dissections. The authors aimed to develop and validate a neuronavigation-based method to measure the AnE. A formula based on vectorial geometry and the coordinates of three points collected with a neuronavigation system was developed to measure the AnE. The method was validated using a plexiglass phantom head. To demonstrate its applicability, the authors measured the AnE in 6 cadaveric specimens after exposure of the hypoglossal canal using a far-medial approach (FMA) and a far-lateral transtubercular approach (FLTA) and in 6 different specimens after exposure of the jugular foramen using an FLTA and a retrosigmoid approach (RSA). The mean angles measured at 45°, 90°, and 180° using a goniometer during the validation test were 44.8° ± 1.1°, 90.8° ± 1.2°, and 179.7° ± 0.8° using the novel formula (p > 0.05). In the first illustrative application, the mean AnEs for the FMA and FLTA were 129° ± 0.9° and 243° ± 1.9°, respectively. In the second scenario, the mean AnEs were 192° ± 1.3° for the FTLA and 143° ± 2.1° for the RSA. The neuronavigation-based technique described is a highly accurate method to measure the AnE.
Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cadaver
/
Skull Base
/
Neuronavigation
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Neurosurg
/
J. neurosurg
/
Journal of neurosurgery
Year:
2024
Type:
Article