Operative imaging and visualization: cutting edge techniques and future directions

It is hard to image anything that has had more of an impact on our specialty over the years than advancements in imaging and visualization of the brain and spine. From early use of the operative microscope, to the advent of CT and MRI, and most recently the development of contemporary neuronaviation systems, the ability to “see” relevant anatomy and pathology has allowed neurosurgeons to perform procedures that would have seemed technically impossible just a few decades ago. These advancements in visualization have expanded our therapeutic options and vastly improved clinical outcomes for our patients. https://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2020.10.FOCUS20910