Mixed reality technology assists in complex spinal surgery planning

A case report published in the International Journal of Spine Surgery details the use of mixed reality (MR) to assist in the surgical planning and patient education for a complex craniovertebral junction anomaly.

A 36-year-old woman presenting with spastic quadriparesis, chronic neck pain, and urinary urgency was diagnosed with basilar invagination and an assimilated atlas. The condition caused severe spinal cord compression and myelomalacia.

Medical teams utilized a mixed reality viewer to combine computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging datasets, creating a 3-dimensional visualization. This technology allowed for improved anatomical understanding of asymmetric facets and screw trajectories during preoperative planning. It also served as a tool to counsel the patient and her family. Following a posterior C1 to C2 joint reconstruction and fusion, the patient demonstrated significant neurological improvement and regained the ability to ambulate at a one-year follow-up.