Utility and efficacy of navigation system use in interventional radiology

Background: To ensure precision and accuracy during interventional radiologic (IR) procedures, navigation systems are utilized. There are four main categories of guidance systems that can be used to assist in IR procedures: optical system, electromagnetic (EM) tracking, Cone Bean Computer Tomography (CBCT) and Magnetic Navigation system. Objective: The purpose of this report is to examine some current medical literature to present an impression as to the state of navigation system use in interventional radiology. Methods: Three health databases were selected: Pubmed, Embase and OVID Medline, with the search terms “Interventional Radiology” and “Navigation System” being used. All included studies were presented in English. Studies were excluded if they did not pertain to navigation systems in interventional radiology, were in a language other than English, presented an abstract only or solely discussed interventional cardiology. Results: General themes emerged within the literature for the advantages of navigation system use including benefits to interventional radiologic procedures, increased patient accuracy and reduced procedure time and the potential for reduction in costs. Increased radiation exposure, problems accounting for respiratory motion and sterility remain issues for navigation system use. Conclusion: With potential to better standardize treatment using navigation systems, patients can have access to up-to-date technology for treatment. To ensure the highest standard of care, navigation systems should be used by interventional radiologists only. As indications and clinical efficacy are frequently being defined for navigation system use in interventional radiology, continual review of the published literature and large clinical trials for each system should be pursued.