Initial experience related to the use of the Cosman-Roberts-Wells stereotactic instrument. Technical note.

Initial experience with a new arc-radius design of stereotactic frame that interfaced with the existing components of the Brown-Roberts-Wells instrument is reported. Over a 6-month period, 32 procedures were performed on 23 males and nine female patients (mean age 32 years); these included 27 stereotactic biopsy procedures, two stereotactic implantations of cyst catheter reservoirs, two ventriculoscopic aspirations of third ventricular colloid cysts, and one stereotactic aspiration of a craniopharyngioma. In all cases successful targeting was achieved and verified by postoperative computerized tomography. There were no operation-related complications. This new frame offers rapid and accurate targeting and is a useful adjunct to the stereotactic armamentarium.