Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of navigated intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) in correcting brainshift during glioma surgery, thereby enhancing intraoperative decision-making and potentially improving patient outcomes.

Key Findings:

• Navigated iUS effectively identified tumor extent and corrected brainshift during surgery, leading to improved surgical precision.
• Post-resection ultrasound confirmed the accurate location of critical structures like the corticospinal tract, ensuring functional preservation.
• Rigid image fusion (RIF) of iUS and MRI allowed for realignment of anatomical structures affected by brainshift, enhancing surgical navigation.

Interpretation:

The use of navigated iUS provides a practical and cost-effective method for real-time brainshift correction, significantly improving surgical accuracy and potentially leading to better patient outcomes.

Limitations:

• Challenges remain in correcting elastic deformations of brainshift, which may require advanced imaging techniques.
• Dependence on the quality of intraoperative ultrasound images for accurate assessment may limit effectiveness in certain cases.

Conclusion:

Navigated intraoperative ultrasound is a valuable tool for managing brainshift during glioma surgeries, facilitating better surgical outcomes through enhanced decision-making, as supported by recent advancements in imaging technology.