Development of radiolucent headholder pins for intraoperative CT-imaging

Abstract

With the introduction of intraoperative computed tomography, neurosurgeons can obtain images of the brain during surgery, offering the possibility of intraoperative resection control and monitoring of potential complications. The combination of intraoperative CT with neuronavigation permits the possibility to update the reference scans when necessary. However, the headholder pins normally used for intraoperative CT (titanium or sapphire) still show x-ray artifacts. In the present study pins made of alternative materials like ceramics, polymers and composites are compared to their mechanical and artifact behavior to evaluate their potential use in the clinical routine.