Utilities of 3D technology for planning endoscopic endonasal approaches. Case series of anatomical-imaging review.

Abstract

Endoscopic endonasal surgery requires specific training and essential anatomical and technical knowledge. The support of 3D technologies favors the development of this knowledge. We exemplify the use of this 3D reconstruction tool through four clinical cases of sellar tumors. Imaging analysis was performed on four patients diagnosed with sellar tumors who underwent resection surgeries using endoscopic endonasal approaches with the support of 3D reconstructions. Four sellar tumors and their related anatomical structures were reconstructed using manual planimetric segmentation to modify the pre- and trans-surgical decision. Although 3D reconstruction images are not new, the imaging studies with which we can make these reconstructions have been improving and with which to improve anatomical and surgical understanding in endoscopic transnasal surgery. This work exemplifies the usefulness of 3D technology in planning endoscopic endonasal surgeries for the different tumor pathologies of the sellar region.