Feasibility of Spinal Facet Joint Injections With Augmented Reality Headset: A Cadaveric Study
OPERATIVE NEUROSURGERY, cilt.31, sa.1, ss.138-143, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 31 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001777
- Dergi Adı: OPERATIVE NEUROSURGERY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.138-143
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) offer 3-dimensional (3D) visualization to enhance procedural accuracy and reduce fluoroscopy use in spinal interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of an AR-HMD navigation system for facet joint injections in comparison with the conventional C-arm-guided approach.METHODS:In this prospective controlled study, 5 cadavers underwent computed tomography to generate 3D spine models. An AR application developed in Unity with Vuforia Engine was deployed on the HoloLens 2 headset for navigation. A neurosurgeon performed 216 facet joint needle placements (108 AR-assisted, 108 C-arm-guided). Postprocedural computed tomography validated placement accuracy. An independent blinded radiologist evaluated all placements.RESULTS:Of 216 total needle placements, 74 (34.3%) were rated excellent, 109 (50.5%) acceptable, and 33 (15.3%) failed. No significant difference in overall success rates was found between AR-guided and C-arm-guided approaches, chi 2(2, 216) = 2.96, P = .23. However, lumbar region placements showed significantly higher success in the AR group compared with the control group, chi 2(2, 120) = 7.09, P = .03.CONCLUSION:AR-guided facet joint needle placement demonstrates accuracy and safety comparable to conventional C-arm-guided techniques. The AR-HMD system enhances 3D anatomic visualization and may reduce radiation exposure for healthcare personnel. These findings support further exploration of AR technology in spinal interventions.