INTRAOPERATIVE ULTRASOUND FOR MONITORING ANTERIOR CERVICAL VERTEBRECTOMY - TECHNICAL NOTE

The authors describe the use of intraoperative ultrasonography with a small high-frequency (15 mHz) probe for evaluation of the extent of la teral bone removal during anterior cervical vertebrectomy. The relatio nship of the bone resection margins to the lateral aspect of the spina l cord was visualized. Postoperative computerized tomography scans rev ealed the extent of bone removal to be similar to that demonstrated by ultrasound. Intraoperative ultrasonography may be useful during anter ior cervical surgery to assure adequate decompression of the spinal ca nal and spinal cord.