Image-guidance in frontal sinus surgery

Abstract

The ability of image-guidance systems to provide the surgeon with enhanced anatomic localization during frontal sinus surgery offers the potential for improved clinical outcome. Surgery of the frontal sinus is particularly well suited for surgical navigation systems because of the proximity of the sinus to the orbit and cranial cavities,which demands a high degree of precision and provides little room for misjudgments regarding anatomic relationships. The variable anatomical development of the frontal sinus and its anterior superior location within the nasal cavity increase the possibility of disorientation during surgery. The loss of surgical landmarks can be particularly problematic in patients with extensive disease or a history of previous surgery. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.