Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2013 Sep;8(5):831-6. doi: 10.1007/s11548-012-0811-5. Epub 2013 Jan 18.
Facet syndrome is a condition that may cause 15-45 % of chronic lower back pain. It is commonly diagnosed and treated using facet joint injections. This needle technique demands high accuracy, and ultrasound (US) is a potentially useful modality to guide the needle. US-guided injections, however, require physicians to interpret 2-D sonographic images while simultaneously manipulating an US probe and needle. Therefore, US-guidance for facet joint injections needs advanced training methodologies that will equip physicians with the requisite skills.
We used Perk Tutor-an augmented reality training system for US-guided needle insertions-in a configuration for percutaneous procedures of the lumbar spine. In a pilot study of 26 pre-medical undergraduate students, we evaluated the efficacy of Perk Tutor training compared to traditional training.
The Perk Tutor Trained group, which had access to Perk Tutor during training, had a mean success rate of 61.5 %, while the Control group, which received traditional training, had a mean success rate of 38.5 % ([Formula: see text]). No significant differences in procedure times or needle path lengths were observed between the two groups.
The results of this pilot study suggest that Perk Tutor provides an improved training environment for US-guided facet joint injections on a synthetic model.
小关节综合征可能导致 15-45%的慢性下腰痛。它通常通过小关节注射来诊断和治疗。这种针技术要求高度精确，超声（US）是一种潜在有用的引导针的方法。然而，US 引导下的注射需要医生在同时操作 US 探头和针的同时解释 2-D 超声图像。因此，小关节注射的 US 引导需要先进的培训方法，使医生具备必要的技能。
我们在用于经皮腰椎穿刺的配置中使用了 Perk Tutor-一种用于 US 引导下针插入的增强现实培训系统。在一项针对 26 名医学生的试点研究中，我们评估了 Perk Tutor 培训与传统培训相比的效果。
在培训期间使用 Perk Tutor 的 Perk Tutor 培训组的成功率平均值为 61.5%，而接受传统培训的对照组的成功率平均值为 38.5%（[公式：见文本]）。两组之间的手术时间或针路径长度没有显著差异。
这项试点研究的结果表明，Perk Tutor 在合成模型上为 US 引导的小关节注射提供了更好的培训环境。
