Utility of Ultrasound for Assessing and Confirming Decompression of Spinal Cord

Abstract

Abstract An underutilized modality within the operating room is the use of Intraoperative Ultrasound. This modality offers real time, noninvasive, and accurate imagining of the spinal anatomy in neurosurgery. This modality can be utilized to confirm decompression of a level, or indicate to the surgeon the need to continue decompression. We present the case of a 52 year old patient who underwent a posterior cervicothoracic decompression and fusion for principally anterior vertebral metastatic tumor with cord compression where the use of the ultrasound confirmed its utility.