Image guidance in skull base tumor resection: A synergistic approach using intraoperative navigated angiosonography for real-time vessel visualization

Sir,

We read with great interest the article by Parviz Dolati et al.,[1] entitled “Multimodal navigated skull base tumor resection using image-based vascular and cranial nerve segmentation: A prospective pilot study.”

The authors report their experience with image-based preoperative vascular and neural element segmentation with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction for intraoperative guidance in ten patients undergoing surgery for skull base tumor resection. In all cases, the 3D segmented structures were correlated to the correspondent intraoperative findings with the aid of neuronavigation. They conclude that neuronavigation, especially in skull base lesions, is extremely informative for both preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation. Moreover, thanks to the relative immobility of the structures of this area, it is reliable throughout the duration of the surgery.

Preoperative segmentation is noteworthy because it forces to understand the radiological anatomy of the surgical region in order to perform the segmentation, and especially for the less experienced surgeon, it is a great support in understanding the intraoperative relationship between anatomical structures.

The authors rightly point out the innumerable advantages and positive features of neuronavigation in skull-base surgery; the high level of accuracy they have obtained is also extremely interesting.

We completely agree with the authors, however, we would like to underline that neuronavigation, being based on preoperative acquired images, is a dynamic but not a real-time tool and the image dataset is predetermined; thus, it cannot refigure the real intraoperative situation (e.g. it cannot display the re-opening of a sinus that appeared obliterated on the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because it was only compressed by the tumor). Another feature to underline is that navigation displays images that are static, thus it is only an anatomic representation, whereas, especially in skull base lesion, sometimes it could be useful to understand the pathophysiology of the tumor. For instance, it is useful to visualize the principal vascular supplier in a case of meningioma to reduce bleeding. Furthermore, the need of a precise preoperative vessels description leads to acquire a computed tomography angiogram that is obviously a dataset acquired prior to surgery and does not take into account any shifting of the tumor capsule or displaced vessels, also exposing the patient to harmful radiation.

To overcome all these limitations, especially when major vessels are involved, we recommend the use of multimodal navigation with fusion imaging between preoperative MRI and intraoperative contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), obtaining a real-time navigated angiosonography (N-ASG) [Figures 1 and 2].[2,3] CEUS alone is real-time, highly informative, characterized by a high spatial and temporal resolution, being capable of highlighting vessels (together arterial, venous, and capillary) their position, and changes during surgical manipulation [Figures 1 and 2].[2,3,4] Further, CEUS can precisely highlight the position of vascular feeders and their entity permitting a rapid devascularization of the lesion [Figures 1 and 2].[2] Coupling CEUS advantages with neuronavigation benefits allows to obtain real-time information regarding intraoperative configuration and to safely locate the anatomic structures in the 3D frame of the surgical field [Figures 1 and 2]. Furthermore, through the continuous comparison between preoperative MRI and intraoperative CEUS, it is possible to overcome the limitations of both technologies obtaining an important amount of information that can change the surgical decision-making.

Figure 1.

Navigated angio-sonography (N-ASG) screenshot of a craniopharyngioma. In the left upper part of the screen, the ASG image is displayed; on the right, the corresponding preoperative MRI is fused and superimposed with real-time ASG. In the lower portion, the three standard orthogonal planes and the isonation plane are displayed. N-ASG permits to identify the principal vessels surrounding the lesion (L): M1 and M2 portion of the middle cerebral artery and the Basilar tip (B)

Figure 2.

Navigated angio-sonography (N-ASG) screenshot of a sphenoid wing meningioma. In the left upper part of the screen, the ASG image is displayed; on the right, the corresponding preoperative MRI is fused and superimposed with real-time ASG. In the lower portion, the three standard orthogonal planes and the isonation plane are displayed. N-ASG permits to identify the principal vessels surrounding the lesion (L): Middle cerebral artery (M), Basilar tip (B), posterior cerebral artery (P), posterior communicating artery (Pc), internal carotid artery (C)

In conclusion, we believe that a synergistic approach between different imaging modalities is highly desirable; a thorough pre-operative evaluation will obviously lead to a clearer understanding of the surgical anatomy, whereas the real-time imaging modality will provide a continuous feedback in support of neuronavigation.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.