tant."
Sometimes likened to a GPS for the anatomy of the human head,
ENT surgical navigation systems give surgeons a real-time roadmap
so they know exactly "where they're going" when directing instrumen-
tation. As a result, Dr. Gallups says surgeons tend to maneuver more
efficiently and confidently even in the tightest of quarters, often with-
in just a few hair widths of the brain, the orbital walls and other vital
structures.
Although not necessary for more routine procedures, image-guided
ENT has become increasingly popular for ENT surgeons, particularly
in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), revision sinus surgery
and cases marked by unusual anatomy. If you haven't yet made the
investment, should you? Following are a few variables to consider.
• Functionality. In the past, an image-guided ENT system was an
either/or scenario, meaning it worked off either an MRI or a CT scan
taken before surgery. But today's newer systems have made it so you
no longer have to choose between the two. In cases in which views of
both bony and soft-tissue detail is essential — say, thinning of the
bone between the sinuses and the brain or the eyes — CT scans, for
bone detail, can be merged with MRIs, which offer superior soft-tissue
detail,
to offer a more comprehensive picture.
Also, ENT surgeons used to have to choose between 2 types of sur-
gical navigation: optical, which requires a clear line of sight to the
instruments; and electromagnetic, which does not require a clear line
of sight and registers CT and MR images without headsets or markers.
Some vendors have developed hybrid systems that offer both options,
which let surgeons choose whichever form best suits the specific
needs of the procedure.
• Cost. These systems bear what Dr. Gallups refers to as "a high
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