MRI-GUIDED ENDOSCOPY IN THE BRAIN - A FEASABILITY STUDY

For neuronavigation in neuroendoscopy conventional navigation systems cannot exclude tissue movements caused by loss of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Open MRI can serve as a real-time navigation system if special conditions of endoscopic instruments and equipment are followed. We ad apted an endoscopic system to the MRI and installed a miniaturized las er guidance system to project the central transaxial and coronal plane s onto the phantom. A human cadaveric model was examined with a flexib le microendoscope marked with a titanium wire inside the open magnet. The procedures were guided by gradient echo sequences refreshing the i mage every 4.5 seconds to control position of the endoscope. Endoscopi c and corresponding MRI-findings are presented. Results and technical conditions are discussed.