Article
A tool for the frameless navigated placement of intracerebral catheters
Ein neues Instrument für die rahmenlose neuronavigierte Anlage von intrazerebralen Kathetern
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | May 8, 2006 |
---|
Outline
Text
Objective: Optimal catheter placement is crucial for convection enhanced delivery and effective tumor therapy. Because of better handling frameless placement seems to be more feasible than frame based. We present our experience with a newly developed tool for the navigated placement of chemotherapy catheters.
Methods: We developed a navigated canula with a removable mandrin to advance the catheter. The tool has a canula of 14 cm length and a mandrin with a total length of 18 cm for better handling of the canula. There are holes in the tip of canula that a ventricular puncture and CSF drainage is noticed. The canula is fixed to the brainlab™ adapter ML and navigated with a brainlab™ navigational system. After placing the canula as planned the mandrin is removed and the primed catheter forwarded. When resistance is felt the canula is withdrawn over the catheter. The depth of the catheter is compared to the previously calculated and if necessary adjusted.
Results: In the control with a dummy the canula showed to be highly accurate with deviation of less than 3 mm similar to our standard navigational tools. Clinically we have used the canula with good accuracy. For better handling it can be attached to a retractor holding system. Depending on the diameter of the catheter different canulas were produced and also used for ventricular catheter placement.
Conclusions: This newly developed tool is easy to handle and of good accuracy. It can be used with every navigational system.