Volume Rendering Technique (VRT) for Planning and Learning Cranio-Vertebral Junction (CVJ) Surgeries: Technical Note

AIM: To present the application of volume rendering technique (VRT) of computed tomography (CT) scan in cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries. MATERIAL and METHODS: The authors used VRT images of CT scan in patients of congenital CVJ anomalies who were subjected to various surgeries through midline posterior approach. The screw entry points and courses of vertebral arteries were identified in relation to various landmarks on the VRT images, preoperatively and intra-operatively. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients of CVJ anomalies, who underwent surgeries through midline posterior approach, formed the study group. The screw entry points and courses of the vertebral arteries could be effectively identified in the surgical fields. CONCLUSION: We conclude that VRT images are an inexpensive and user friendly tool to identify the screw insertion points in the surgeries of CVJ anomalies. They also help in identifying the course of the vertebral artery in the surgical field. On the whole, their use makes the surgery in this region, safer.