Mayo Clinic researchers have developed and tested a new 3D surface scanning approach that gives neurosurgeons even greater precision when operating deep inside the brain. The system aligns a patient’s head, facial features, and surgical head frame with brain images, achieving sub-millimeter accuracy—a level of precision that can make a critical difference in delicate procedures. In a feasibility study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, the 3D scanning method proved more accurate than the CT scan typically used during neurosurgery, all while eliminating exposure to radiation. Researchers say the approach could make complex procedures, such as deep brain stimulation, drainage, and biopsies safer and more efficient, while enhancing patient comfort. Because it integrates with most surgical navigation systems, it may also bring high-precision guidance to operating rooms that don’t have a CT scanner.

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