The Future of Neurosurgery Available Today at USC Neurosurgery
Revolutionary Intra-operative MRI Installed for Treatment of Brain Tumors

USC Neurosurgery has entered a new era in advanced patient care with the PoleStar® iMRI Navigation System from Medtronic Navigation. Medtronic is the world’s foremost provider of minimally invasive computer-assisted surgery and intra-operative imaging solutions.

The PoleStar® iMRI Navigation System, a revolutionary compact iMRI and navigation system, provides surgeons with real-time, high-quality images before, during, and after brain tumor surgery. Using these images, USC Neurosurgery’s neurosurgeons can plan the optimal trajectory of approach to a brain tumor, achieve desired tumor resection while avoiding healthy tissue and critical structures, and verify that they have removed the tumor prior to the patient leaving the surgical suite. As a result, patients undergoing cranial procedures may experience less invasive surgeries, faster recovery times, and improved outcomes. Surgery may now be an option for some brain tumor patients who were previously considered high risk.

“The intra-operative navigation system allows us to visualize more clearly our patients’ anatomy during surgery so we can accurately detect and evaluate tumor boundaries while avoiding healthy tissue. This has improved the overall effectiveness of neurosurgical procedures by allowing us to verify a complete lesion removal prior to closure,” says neurosurgeon Steven Giannotta, MD. “This breakthrough technology now provides us with a comprehensive solution that is both convenient and cost-effective for USC Neurosurgery.”

With its unique, compact design, the PoleStar® system allows neurosurgeons to take advantage of intra-operative imaging without extensive renovation of the operating room. It also limits restrictions upon the surgeon’s choice of instruments. The true innovation at the core of the PoleStar® system is the concept of bringing the MRI to the OR as opposed to trying to perform the surgical procedures in an MRI suite.

“The system is designed to seamlessly integrate with the operating room while not requiring the OR to be dedicated to its use,” says Steven Giannotta, MD of USC Neurosurgery.“The clinical and financial impact of dedicating a hospital’s operating room solely for the use of an intra-operative MRI can be problematic as many of these rooms sit idle when a procedure doesn’t require use of the iMRI system. With the PoleStar® system, we avoid these issues as the unit can be stored when not in use, allowing the room to be utilized for other types of surgery.” USC Neurosurgery is the only institution in the Los Angeles area that can offer treatment with the PoleStar® iMRI Navigation System. This system can potentially improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital stays, and aid in overall complication avoidance.