Cranial base tumor visualization through high-performance computing.

Abstract

Tumors of the skull base in general are considered among the more difficult head and neck pathological entities to treat surgically; some surgeons, in fact, consider lesions in this area inoperable. The most appropriate and safest surgical approach to lesions of the anterior and lateral skull base can be devised only with accurate and precise pre-operative assessment. The literature demonstrates the constant evolution of and search for more efficient less invasive, and safe surgical approaches to this region. With the development of a more exact three-dimensional, interactive anatomical "road map" for each patient's disease and anatomy, the skull base surgeon can not only achieve a more accurate pre-operative assessment leading to a less invasive and less morbid approach, but also can continue to develop and refine new approaches without fear of actual morbidity and mortality. An interdisciplinary team approach, the advent and continued development of faster high performance computers, and the development of new and innovative rendering algorithms can lead to surgical simulation. A prototype of an interactive system has been developed. The system will be iteratively modified through a stepwise evaluation of its clinical usefulness by continually reassessing the system with clinical trials. The current state of the system and the potential benefits are presented.