Accuracy and clinical applicability of a passive marker based frameless neuronavigation system

A passive marker system permits the inclusion of an unlimited number of instruments and other devices during frameless stereotaxy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and clinical applicability of a passive marker based frameless image guided system (VectorVision; BrainLab, Heimstetten, Germany) developed for surgical planning and intraoperative image guidance. The system was first applied to a plastic phantom to determine the accuracy of the system by measuring the difference between the actual probe position and its analogous position on the monitor screen. The navigational device was subsequently applied to 40 procedures for brain tumours and cavernomas. The mean error value between the image on the monitor screen and the real location in the phantom and the clinical study was 1.45 mm (+/- 0.99) and 4.05 mm (+/- 3.62), respectively. Many different instruments could be employed as pointing devices. It was helpful in minimising the size of the craniotomy. An average lengthening of the surgical procedure of 20 minutes was experienced. The neuronavigation system proved to be a useful surgical tool to approach and detect lesions larger than 5 mm in diameter. The passive marker technology is intuitive and enables the surgeon to use his or her own instruments at any time as a pointing device, thus avoiding further costs for specially designed surgical equipment. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.