Abstract

Endoscopy is ideally suited to any organ that is hollow and fluid filled. The ventricular system, although only 10%of the total intracranial volume, is the site of many pathological processes. It is filled with crystal clear cerebrospinal fluid and lined thoughout by ependyma. Unfortunately access to it is invariably through normal brain tissue, but morbidity can be limited by choosing areas that are not as eloquent as others. The size of the ventricles limits the type of scope and instrumentation that can be used, but as technology advances these limitations are diminishing.

Abstract

Recent advances in computer graphics have facilitated three-dimensional image reconstruction from magnetic resonance (MR) images,contributing to better understanding of the morphological structure of the brain and to preoperative nceurosurgical planning. Functional brain mapping used in conjunction with this three-dimensional imaging technique provides preoperative information regarding the threedimensional relationship between the eloquent cortex and the location of lesions, and allows accurate preoperative planning. In this article, we present a preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigational system for use with three-dimensional functional images.