Scalp marking for a craniotomy using a laser pointer during preoperative computed tomographic imaging: technical note

[Craniotomy guided by computed tomography with three dimensional reconstruction: technical note]

OBJECTIVE

Searching usefulness of computed tomography with three dimensional reconstruction in planning accurate cranial approaches to treat subcortical lesions.

METHOD

Eight patients with neoplastic subcortical convexity-based lesions were surgically treated following spatial coordination obtained with three dimensional computed tomography reconstruction (CT 3D).

RESULTS

Accurate approaches were accomplished, allowing a safe and optimized removal of neoplasms in all cases.

CONCLUSION

The study manifests the benefits of CT 3D in planning suitable craniotomies, avoiding incongruous approaches.

Double-checked preoperative localization of brain lesions

We describe two simple methods that can be used together or alone to localize brain convexity lesions. These methods are based on computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to calculate the position of a given lesion under the skin and help neurosurgeons to plan their surgical approaches. Using spatial fixed points traced on the radiological scans and transposing them to the skin scalp allows the lesion to be projected or drawn on the calvaria.