Intraoperative three-dimensional visualization in microvascular decompression.

Object The authors systematically analyzed 3D visualization of neurovascular compression (NVC) syndromes in the operating room (OR) during microvascular decompression (MVD). Methods A total of 50 patients (26 women and 24 men) with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN) were examined and underwent MVD. Preoperative imaging of the neurovascular structures was performed using constructive interference in the steady state magnetic resonance (CISS MR) imaging, which consisted of 2D image slices. The 3D visualization of the neurovascular anatomy is generated after segmentaion of the CISS MR imaging in combination with direct volume rendering (DVR). The 3D representations were stored on a personal computer (PC) that was mounted on a mobile unit and transferred to the OR. During surgery, 3D visualization was applied by the surgeon with remotely controlled plasma-sterilized devices such as a wireless mouse and keyboard. The position of the 3D visualized neurovascula...