Revisiting the Role of Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spine Surgery for Extradural Pathologies: Review and Clinical Usage

This case series looks at the role of intraoperative ultrasound in spine surgery for extradural pathologies.Ten cases of different pathologies were included. Following posterior laminectomy, intraoperative ultrasound was used to determine the adequacy of decompression. The surgical approach and extent of surgery was then determined on the basis of ultrasound observations. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was done to correlate the ultrasound findings.We found intraoperative ultrasound to be a useful tool that is easy to use and interpret in spine surgery. The adequacy of decompression was well visualized. The finding also correlated with the decompression achieved on a postsurgery magnetic resonance imaging scan.Intraoperative ultrasound is a useful tool in routine spine surgery. It is effective and easy to read to determine decompression for various pathologies including disk herniation, epidural abscess, tumors, and deformity and reconstructive surgeries. This simple tool can help plan surgeries.