PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Samaneh Azargoshasb AU - Krijn H.M. Houwing AU - Paul R. Roos AU - Sven I. van Leeuwen AU - Michael Boonekamp AU - Elio Mazzone AU - Kevin Bauwens AU - Paolo Dell’Oglio AU - Fijs W.B. van Leeuwen AU - Matthias N. van Oosterom TI - Optical Navigation of the Drop-In γ-Probe as a Means to Strengthen the Connection Between Robot-Assisted and Radioguided Surgery AID - 10.2967/jnumed.120.259796 DP - 2021 Sep 01 TA - Journal of Nuclear Medicine PG - 1314--1317 VI - 62 IP - 9 4099 - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/62/9/1314.short 4100 - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/62/9/1314.full SO - J Nucl Med2021 Sep 01; 62 AB - With translation of the Drop-In γ-probe, radioguidance has advanced into laparoscopic robot-assisted surgery. Global-positioning-system–like navigation can further enhance the symbiosis between nuclear medicine and surgery. Therefore, we developed a fluorescence-video–based tracking method that integrates the Drop-In with navigated robotic surgery. Methods: Fluorescent markers, integrated into the Drop-In, were automatically detected using a daVinci Firefly laparoscope. Subsequently, a declipseSPECT-navigation platform calculated the Drop-In location within the surgical field. Using a phantom (n = 3), we pursued robotic navigation on SPECT/CT, whereas intraoperative feasibility was validated during porcine surgery (n = 4). Results: Video-based tracking allowed for navigation of the Drop-In toward all lesions detected on SPECT/CT (external iliac and common iliac artery regions). Augmented-reality visualization in the surgical console indicated the distance to these lesions in real time, confirmed by the Drop-In readout. Porcine surgery underlined the feasibility of the concept. Conclusion: Optical navigation of the Drop-In probe provides a next step toward connecting nuclear medicine with robotic surgery.