Narrator: This is Science Today. Computer guided imaging systems are allowing many surgeons to better navigate through the sinuses during standard endoscopic sinus surgery. Dr. Brad Strong, an otolaryngology professor at the University of California, Davis, says image guided surgery, which displays a three dimensional model of the patient on a TV monitor, reduces the risk of complications and allows a more accurate and complete surgical procedure.

Strong: It gives us certainly that sense of security when we're operating using traditional endoscopic-guided instruments to locate where the sinus cavities openings and other vital structures like the brain or the eyes are and then confirm that location on the video monitor.

Narrator: Generally, image guidance is not crucial for routine sinus surgery.

Strong: Certainly for patients who are having revision procedures, where the anatomy is distorted, they're difficult cases or there's something unique about their anatomy, this is something that certainly is an added benefit.

Narrator: For Science Today, I'm Larissa Branin.