Augmented reality (AR) in microsurgical multimodal image guided focal pediatric epilepsy surgery: Results of a retrospective feasibility study

Introduction and research question

Augmented reality (AR) is increasingly being used to improve surgical planning and assist in real time surgical procedures. A retrospective investigation was conducted to study its feasibility in pediatric epilepsy surgery at a single institution.

Methods

Functional neuronavigation using multimodal imaging data (fMRI, DTI-tractography, PET, SPECT, sEEG) were used to augment the surgical navigation by transferring MRI imaging reconstructions as AR maps into the surgical microscope overlaying the surgical field.

Results

Altogether, 43 patients (17 female, 0–18 yrs, mean 9 yrs) were operated between 10/2020 and 10/2023 and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 26 patients (60.5%) had an extra-temporal and 17 (39.5%) a temporal seizure origin. The 3 top histological diagnoses encountered were: FCD (32.6%), ganglioglioma (23.3%) and DNET (11.6%). Preoperative MRI studies showed no epileptogenic lesion in 11 patients (25.6%, MRI negativ group), which necessitated implantation of depth electrodes before resection. There were no adverse events while using AR enhanced neuronavigation. Altogether, of 24 patients with a follow up of more than one year, 83.3% displayed a favorable ILAE grade 1 seizure outcome (75% ILAE 1a), 14 % experienced a transient hemiparesis, 4.3% a permanent quadrantanopia and one needed a subdural-peritoneal shunt.

Discussion and conclusion

AR supported navigated microscope resection allowed targeting and removal of lesional as well as non-lesional (sEEG defined) epileptogenic zones in pediatric epilepsy surgery with low morbidity and an expected seizure outcome.