Augmented reality (AR) is making brain tumour removals quicker and more intuitive than conventional systems, a UZ Brussel study revealed on Tuesday.
Every year, 1,400 patients undergo surgery to remove a brain tumour, an often highly delicate procedure that requires meticulous preparation. Before removing a brain tumour, the surgeon generally draws its outline on the patient's skin to minimise the opening in the skull.
To do this, the current approach uses a system known as 'neuronavigation', enabling the surgeon to be guided in front of the patient's anatomy, from images based on preoperative MRI.
"The problem with such a system is that it is mainly based on 2D images. To locate the tumour, the surgeon must therefore transfer information displayed on a screen to 3D reality," explains neurosurgeon Johnny Duerinck. Interpretation errors are therefore still possible, especially when the tumour is located deep down.
AR makes it possible to refine planning for the removal of brain tumours. Using special glasses, the technology adds digital images to reality. It thus gives the surgeon a three-dimensional view of the position of the tumour and its surrounding structures, such as blood vessels, making the operation more intuitive and therefore more effective.
The study in fact demonstrated that AR enabled an overall time saving of 39% on average, as well as a much more precise delineation of the tumour's contours. In 95% of cases, delineation using AR was considered to be as good (30%) or even better (65%) than planning based on conventional practice.
