Photogrammetry Applied to Neurosurgery: A Literature Review

Abstract

Photogrammetry refers to the process of creating 3D models and taking measurements through the use of photographs. Photogrammetry has many applications in neurosurgery, such as creating 3D anatomical models and diagnosing and evaluating head shape and posture deformities. This review aims to summarize the uses of the technique in the neurosurgical practice and showcase the systems and software required for its implementation. A literature review was done in the online database PubMed. Papers were searched using the keywords “photogrammetry”, “neurosurgery”, “neuroanatomy”, “craniosynostosis” and “scoliosis”. The identified articles were later put through primary (abstracts and titles) and secondary (full text) screening for eligibility for inclusion. In total, 86 articles were included in the review from 315 papers identified. The review showed that the main uses of photogrammetry in the field of neurosurgery are related to the creation of 3D models of complex neuroanatomical structures and surgical approaches, accompanied by the uses for diagnosis and evaluation of patients with structural deformities of the head and trunk, such as craniosynostosis and scoliosis. Additionally, three instances of photogrammetry applied for more specific aims, namely, cervical spine surgery, skull-base surgery, and radiosurgery, were identified. Information was extracted on the software and systems used to execute the method. With the development of the photogrammetric method, it has become possible to create accurate 3D models of physical objects and analyze images with dedicated software. In the neurosurgical setting, this has translated into the creation of anatomical teaching models and surgical 3D models as well as the evaluation of head and spine deformities. Through those applications, the method has the potential to facilitate the education of residents and medical students and the diagnosis of patient pathologies.

The Evaluation of Virtual Reality Neuroanatomical Training Utilizing Photorealistic 3D Models in Limited Body Donation Program Settings

“…This optimization allowed us to augment the photorealistic database used as a basis for VR training with further resemblance of the 3D models to actual anatomical structures, which has been reflected in the survey with the option "Good visualization of the models", for which 85% of the students voted as an agreed-upon advantage. The photogrammetry process has been more widely applied for the creation of similar databases in recent years, as well as for diagnostic and other purposes in neurosurgery [8,20,21]. We believe that such a degree of realism and the immersive interactivity that VR provides is the basis of the positive feedback that we have from the medical student's questionnaire.…”

“…Notably, the development of photorealistic three-dimensional models (PR3DM) and their integration into medical education has amounted to an impact on the involvement and enjoyment of the study process due to the photorealistic nature of the data used [5,6]. The effectiveness of PR3DM as a study tool has its origin in the technique of photogrammetry, a well-established technique that can be used to generate 3D models in the gaming industry and has only recently been applied to produce visualizations of cadaveric specimens for anatomical studies [7][8][9][10].…”

The Integration of 3D Virtual Reality and 3D Printing Technology as Innovative Approaches to Preoperative Planning in Neuro-Oncology

“…It has built-in tracking and computing engineering making it possible to have freedom of movement in a designated area. The software used to visualize the created 3D objects is Gravity Sketch ® (London, UK, www.gravitysketch.com), an individual free software which is mainly used to visualize, model, and design 3D models in a VR environment [24]. Once all the FBX files are loaded into Gravity Sketch, a complete model can be assembled in a 3D virtual space.…”