Computer-assisted planning of stereotactic neurosurgical procedures.

To extend the advantages of stereotactic localization to open procedures, a computational device with a graphic output is introduced. It is designed to be used in the operating room, where it processes neuroradiological information (CT, MR, and angiography) acquired under stereotactic conditions. The surgeon can interact with neuroanatomical data, extracting borders of structures of surgical relevance. The resulting sets of outlines, shown tridimensionally within the reference of a stereotactic head holder, are presented with respect to the planned approaching trajectory. Color-coded high-resolution graphics show the relationship between lesions and normal brain structures and guide the surgeon's access to deep-seated lesions through small exposures.