Usability of Mixed Reality in Awake Craniotomy Planning. (1st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moon, Richard; Barua, Neil
• Is Part Of: Neuro-oncology. Volume 24(2022)Supplement 4
• Page Start: iv6
• Page End: iv6
• Publication Date: 2022-10-01
• Subjects: Brain Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Brain -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Brain -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99481
• DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac200.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-8517

Abstract

Abstract: AIMS: This study aimed to describe our institutional use of a commercially available mixed reality viewer within a multi-disciplinary planning workflow for awake craniotomy surgery and to report an assessment of its usability. METHOD: Three Tesla MRI scans, including 32-direction diffusion tensor sequences, were reconstructed with BrainLab Elements auto-segmentation software. Magic Leap mixed reality viewer headsets were registered to a shared virtual viewing space to display image reconstructions. System Usability Scale was used to assess the usability of the mixed reality system. RESULTS: The awake craniotomy planning workflow utilises the mixed reality viewer to facilitate a stepwise discussion through four progressive anatomical layers; skin, cerebral cortex, subcortical white matter tracts and tumour with surrounding vasculature. At each stage relevant members of the multi-disciplinary team reviewed key operative considerations, including patient positioning, cortical and subcortical speech mapping protocols and surgical approaches to the tumour. The mixed reality system was used in 10 consecutive awake craniotomy procedures over a 5-month period. Ten participants (2 Anaesthetists, 5 Neurosurgical trainees, 2 Speech therapists, 1 Neuropsychologist) completed System Usability Scale assessments, reporting a mean score of 71.5. Feedback highlighted the benefit of being able to rehearse important steps in the procedure, including patient positioning and anaesthetic access and visualising the testing protocol for cortical and subcortical speech mapping. CONCLUSION: This study supports the use of mixed reality for multi-disciplinary planning for awake craniotomy surgery, with an acceptable degree of interface usability. We highlight the need to consider the requirements of non-technical, non-neurosurgical team members when involving mixed reality activities.