Brain tumor resection guided by intraoperative computed tomography.

Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) with a dedicated, therapeutic scanner facilitated resection of intracranial tumors in nine patients. Major benefits of intraoperative CT included exact, multiplanar lesion localization, maximal surgical resection and immediate recognition of potential intraoperative complications such as intracranial hemorrhage. Three cases are presented in detail to demonstrate the surgical technique. No complications related to the use of intraoperative imaging occurred. Although total resection of malignant brain neoplasms remained an unrealized goal, intraoperative CT increased the surgical accessibility of malignant and benign lesions located in critical areas of the brain.