Optical vs Electromagnetic Surgical Navigation: Which Is Right for Your Neurosurgery Department?
· NJM Medical Editorial Team
Line of sight, instrument flexibility, footprint and workflow — a clear comparison of the two tracking technologies behind modern image-guided surgery.
Image-guided surgery shows the surgeon exactly where an instrument is in relation to the patient’s scans. The technology that makes this possible is tracking — and there are two main approaches.
Optical tracking
An infrared camera follows reflective marker spheres attached to the patient reference and the instruments.
- Strengths: a proven, widely used standard; supports a broad range of rigid instruments; well suited to cranial and spinal procedures.
- Consider: the camera needs an uninterrupted line of sight to the markers, which influences how the team positions itself around the table.
Electromagnetic (EM) tracking
A field generator creates a low-energy magnetic field, and small sensors in the instruments are tracked inside it.
- Strengths: no line-of-sight requirement; enables tracking of small or flexible instruments such as stylets and catheters; very convenient for shunt placement and ENT.
- Consider: large metal objects close to the field can affect accuracy, so setup matters.
Choosing a platform
Many departments do not have to choose one or the other. Brainlab’s compact Kick® Pure uses optical tracking, while Kick® EM offers electromagnetic tracking in the same small footprint. For hospitals that want a fully integrated digital OR, Curve™ Navigation adds larger displays, planning and data integration.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Which procedures will you navigate most — cranial, spine, ENT, shunts, biopsies?
- How much space is available in your ORs?
- Which imaging will you use for registration: preoperative CT/MRI or intraoperative imaging?
- Who will train and support your team after installation?
NJM Medical can arrange demonstrations of Brainlab navigation for hospitals in Egypt. Book a consultation with our team.
This article is for general information for healthcare professionals and is not medical advice. Device selection and settings must always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and the treating clinician’s judgement.