Experiences with cranial neuronavigation in pediatric neurosurgery

Frameless, infrared-based neuronavigation (Surgical Microscope Navigator(R) and Surgical Tool Navigator(R)) was applied to intracranial neurosurgery i n 22 children and infants (age range 7 months to 16 years). Predominant dia gnoses were tumor and hydrocephalus (including multiloculated forms); the s urgical procedures were open microneurosurgery in 10 cases and neuroendosco py in 12 patients. There were no principal technical problems even in very young infants. Surgical and clinical results were satisfying in all cases, Neuronavigation proved to be particularly helpful in targeting deep-seated processes and in guiding neuroendoscopy in cases of multiloculated hydrocep halus or small ventricles. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.