Brain surgeons rely heavily on images of the brain to guide them during surgery. Those images are traditionally taken before surgery and can change once a procedure begins. University of Iowa Health Care is one of only a handful of medical centers using a new surgical navigation system inside the operating room. MRI and CT scans, taken prior to surgery, are combined with real-time ultrasound video taken during surgery.

" Every layer of information we can put on top of the starting image or starting problem provides more and more detail and more and more honing in of the key issues," says Timothy Ryken, M.D., UI HealthCare neurosurgeon.

The technology allows surgeons to better identify the necessary brain structures during surgery. It also enables surgeons to track a tumor if it shifts during a procedure. That can be crucial when it comes to removing a tumor deep inside the brain.

" It gives us a level of comfort and a level of information. It helps with teaching; it helps with patient understanding; it helps with the other operating room personnel – understanding specifically what our goals are and what we’re seeing," says Ryken.

UI researchers plan to study the effectiveness of this navigational system, to better measure its impact on patients.

Ryken’s work in this area was featured recently at a meeting of the American College of Surgeons.

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