An Independent Application Accuracy Evaluation of Stereotactic Frame Systems

Abstract

The purpose of incorporating stereotactic methodology into neurosurgical procedures is to consistently achieve a high degree of accuracy and precision in localizing intracranial targets. Therefore, the limits of resolution for the therapeutic intervention itself are a function of the accuracy and precision inherent to the particular stereotactic frame system itself. The total clinically relevant error (application accuracy) comprises errors associated with each procedural step, including imaging, target selection, vector calculation and the mechanical errors of stereotactic frames. To evaluate these parameters, a systematic error analysis was carried out in the 4 most commonly used CT-compatible stereotactic devices: the Brown-Roberts-Wells. Cosman-Roberts-Wells, Kelly-Goerss Compass (modified Todd-Wells) and Leksell frames. Over 7,681 independent test measurements were made. The results suggest a potentially significant degree of error in application accuracy of all stereotactic instrumentation which is accentuated by imaging-associated error. These individual error values must be considered with every clinical use of stereotactic frames.

The Role of Psychological Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Quality Assessment of Methods of 18 Prospective Studies and Suggestions for Future Research

“…We reviewed 20 eligible publications reported between 1990 and 2008 [10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29]. 2 studies were published by Levenstein et al [20, 22], 2 by Bitton et al [10, 19], and 2 by Maunder et al [12, 13], each based on different data.…”

“…Duffy et al [25, 26 ]reported twice on the same data addressing different questions. Mittermaier et al [18] reported twice on the same data addressing the same question after 1 [24] and 3 years [23] of follow-up performing 5 and 10 longitudinal assessments, respectively. In the following, the 2 publications of Duffy et al as well as the 2 publications of Mittermaier et al will be considered as 1 study of the respective group.…”

Registration for computer-navigated surgery in edentulous patients: A problem-based decision concept

“…But the clear down side of this technique, of course, is the necessity to implant the screws and to acquire a new 3D dataset afterward. This issue does not apply in cases with osteosynthesis material that has been integrated into the patient in a prior surgery (Maciunas et al, 1992;Marmulla et al, 1997b;Schramm et al, 2007).…”

Effects of Mind-Body Therapy on Quality of Life and Neuroendocrine and Cellular Immune Functions in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

“…Several retrospective studies found that UC patients recall more life stress before disease exacerbations [14,15,16]. Some prospective studies support this link [17,18,19], although negative results have also been reported [20, 21]. More recently, it has been documented in a prospective study that long-term perceived stress increased the risk of disease exacerbation, whereas there was no association with short-term stress, life events, or depressive symptoms [22].…”