Advanced Clinical Technologies in Treating Neurosurgical Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced clinical technologies have profoundly reshaped the landscape of neurosurgical treatment, offering enhanced precision in diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and improved patient outcomes. Several pivotal technologies play crucial roles in modern neurosurgery:

1. Focused ultrasound technology: During surgical procedures, focused ultrasound technology enables neurosurgeons to precisely visualize brain tissue in real time. This capability allows for the ongoing monitoring of treatment progress and adjustments to ultrasound beams, ensuring accurate targeting, and is particularly beneficial for deep-seated tumors.
2. Exoscopes: Exoscopes are contemporary visualization tools empowering neurosurgeons to execute complex procedures with precision. Utilizing high-definition cameras, exoscopes project magnified images of the surgical field onto a monitor in real time, facilitating enhanced visualization, crucial for delicate brain and spinal cord procedures.
3. Robotic-assisted surgery: The integration of robotics enhances surgical precision and dexterity, enabling surgeons to perform intricate maneuvers with greater accuracy.
4. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies: These technologies aid in preoperative planning, surgical simulation, and intraoperative guidance, facilitating better decision making and improved surgical outcomes.
5. Improved technology for neurosurgical education in brain and spine surgery: There is a need for new devices, such as simulators, to improve surgical training outside of the operating theatre.
6. Digitalized operating theaters: Digital connections with radiological and clinical images for integration with microscopes and exoscopes  
7. Intraoperative devices such as Neuronavigation, NMR, CT scan, O and C arms, 5-ala, and fluorescine and their impact on patient outcomes
8. The role of serum biomarkers in improving the management of neurosurgical diseases
9. New techniques and new devices for cranial reconstruction

These advanced clinical technologies represent just a fraction of the rapidly evolving field of neurosurgical treatment. Continued innovation in, and integration of, these technologies can hold promise in further enhancing patient outcomes and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in neurosurgical care.

Prof. Dr. Franco Servadei
Dr. Kenan Arnautovic
Dr. Roberto Stefini
Guest Editors

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• augmented and virtual reality
• intraoperative neuroimaging
• minimally invasive neurosurgery
• neurophysiological monitoring
• robotics in neurosurgery