ABSTRACT
The preparation and implementation of interdisciplinary oncological case reviews are time-consuming and complex. The variety of clinical and radiological information must be presented in a clear and comprehensible manner. Only if all relevant patient-specific information is demonstrated in a short time frame can well-founded treatment decisions be made on this basis. Mixed reality (MR) technology as a multimodal interactive user interface could enhance understanding in multidisciplinary collaboration by visualising radiological or clinical data. The aim of the work was to develop an MR-based software prototype for a head and neck tumour board (HNTB) to support clinical decision-making. The article describes the development phases and workflows in the planning and creation of a MR-based software prototype that were required to meet the multidisciplinary characteristics of a HNTB.
ABSTRACT
The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a benign but locally aggressive growing lesion that infiltrates the bone and surrounding tissue. It is characterized by high rates of recurrence along with rapid growth. Different forms of partly successful treatment therapies are reported. The retrospective study at hand examined 114 patients with OKC treated over a period of 20 years. Data extracted includes gender, age, location, previous treatment for the lesion, surgery, outcome, recurrence rate and follow-up. 63.1% of the patients underwent cystectomy, 22.5% by cystectomy and carnoy solution, 7.2% by cystectomy, and curettage, 4.5% by cystostomy and 2.7% by partial resection. In this study, no significant differences could be observed regarding the surgical method. Most recurrences occurred with 91.9% in the mandible with an average size of 5.5 cm2 and increased in women. Within a mean follow-up time of 3.6 years the recurrence rate was 36.9%, on average after 36 months. Recurrences were most frequently diagnosed at the age of 31-50 (43.9%). Despite numerous studies, there is still no unanimous opinion on an effective therapy for OKC. However, precise resection of OKC can be facilitated by preoperative 3D-imaging and virtual planning.
ABSTRACT
This technical note describes the usage of object matching to virtually compare different modes of reconstruction in orbital trauma and display the results to the surgeon and the patient pre-operatively via mixed reality devices for enhanced surgical decision making and immersive patient education. A case of an orbital floor fracture is presented for which surface and volume matching were implemented to compare orbital reconstruction utilizing pre-fabricated titanium meshes versus patient-specific implants. The results could be visualized by mixed reality devices to further enhance surgical decision-making. The data sets were demonstrated to the patient in mixed reality for immersive patient education and enhanced shared decision making. The advantages of the new technologies are discussed in view of the new possibilities of improved patient education and informed consent processes, as well as new ways of teaching medical trainees.
ABSTRACT
The benefit of computer-assisted planning in head and neck ablative and reconstructive surgery has been extensively documented over the last decade. This approach has been proven to offer a more secure surgical procedure. In the treatment of cancer of the head and neck, computer-assisted surgery can be used to visualize and estimate the location and extent of the tumor mass. Nowadays, some software tools even allow the visualization of the structures of interest in a mixed reality environment. However, the precise integration of mixed reality systems into a daily clinical routine is still a challenge. To date, this technology is not yet fully integrated into clinical settings such as the tumor board, surgical planning for head and neck tumors, or medical and surgical education. As a consequence, the handling of these systems is still of an experimental nature, and decision-making based on the presented data is not yet widely used. The aim of this paper is to present a novel, user-friendly 3D planning and mixed reality software and its potential application for ablative and reconstructive head and neck surgery.
