Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41977079›Full record

ReviewJournal of clinical medicine2026

Artificial Intelligence in Intraoperative Imaging and Navigation for Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Mina Girgis, Allison Kelliher, Michael S Pheasant, Alex Tang, Siddharth Badve, Tan Chen

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of clinical medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mina GirgisGeisinger Northeast Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-9556-2596
Allison KelliherGeisinger Northeast Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, USA.ORCID 0009-0003-7099-2906
Michael S PheasantGeisinger Northeast Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, USA.
Alex TangGeisinger Northeast Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7086-4355
Siddharth BadveDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, USA.
Tan ChenDepartment of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, Inova Orthopedics-Springfield, Alexandria, VA 22310, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming spine surgery, with expanding applications in diagnostics, intraoperative imaging, and surgical navigation. As the field advances toward greater precision and safety, machine learning (ML) and deep learning technologies are being integrated to augment surgeon expertise and optimize operative workflows. In particular, AI-driven innovations in image acquisition and navigation are reshaping intraoperative decision-making and technical execution. This narrative review provides an overview of AI applications relevant to intraoperative imaging and navigation in spine surgery. We begin by defining key concepts in AI, ML, and deep learning and briefly outline the historical evolution of AI within spine practice. We then examine current capabilities in image recognition and automated pathology detection, emphasizing their clinical relevance. Given the central role of imaging accuracy in modern navigation-assisted procedures, we review conventional acquisition platforms, including intraoperative computed tomography (CT) systems (e.g., O-arm, GE, Airo), surface-based registration to preoperative CT (Stryker, Medtronic), and optical surface mapping technologies (e.g., 7D Surgical). Emerging AI-optimized advancements are subsequently discussed, including low-dose intraoperative CT protocols, expanded scan windows, metal artifact reduction algorithms, integration of 2D fluoroscopy with preoperative CT datasets, and 3D reconstruction derived from 2D imaging. These developments aim to improve image quality, reduce radiation exposure, and enhance navigational accuracy. By synthesizing current evidence and technological progress, this review highlights how AI-enhanced imaging systems are redefining intraoperative spine surgery and shaping the future of precision-based care. The primary purpose of this review is to outline the applications of AI and its potential for perioperative and intraoperative optimization, including radiation exposure reduction, workflow streamlining, preoperative planning, robot-assisted surgery, and navigation. The secondary purpose is to define AI, machine learning, and deep learning within the medical context, describe image and pathology recognition, and provide a historical overview of AI in orthopedic spine surgery.

Indexed as

artificial intelligenceintraoperative imagingnavigation

Identifiers

PMID41977079
PMCPMC13073321

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.