Image-guided spinal surgery

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review is to present a comprehensive summary of commonly used methods of spinal image guidance, including the benefits and limitations of this novel technology. METHODS: The relevant medical literature was examined, supplemented by the author's laboratory and clinical experience with image-guided spinal surgery. RESULTS: Spinal image guidance has undergone significant evolution and rapid technological advancement in recent years. Image guidance provides three-dimensional visualization of the spine that can be used for preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation. There are three commonly used methods of spinal image guidance: preoperative CT-based, fluoroscopy-based, and 3D fluoroscopy. Each of these methods demonstrates lower rates of spinal implant misplacement than non-image-guided techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Image guidance provides highly accurate intraoperative navigation and the medical literature suggests that this technology increases the safety of a variety of routine and complex spinal procedures.