Intra-operative ultrasound of brain and spinal cord lesions

Abstract Purpose To assess the role and to analyse the time required to perform intra-operative ultrasound (IUS) in neurosurgery. Methods Thirty-two patients with intracranial and spinal cord lesions underwent IUS with a standard, b-mode linear scanner. Results Intra-operative ultrasound resulted in reduction of the amount of potential damage to normal nervous tissues. In four patients, IUS played a fundamental role in the decision to enlarge the surgical exposure before opening the dura. The average length of time spent by the radiologist in the operating room was 1.45h in spinal cases and 1.15h in intracranial cases. Performance and interpretation of the IUS examination generally required one-fifth of the overall time spent by the radiologist in the operating room. Conclusions Intra-operative ultrasound is an easily available tool making the surgical procedures more accurate, even with standard equipment. However, it is both an operator-dependent and a time-consuming activity for the radiologist, and it would be useful for neurosurgeons to be trained to perform it.