Minimally invasive craniotomy using the Steiner-Lindquist stereotaxic guide.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Neurology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Accurate localization of intracranial lesions is critical for effective surgical planning and patient outcomes.
• Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly sought after to reduce surgical morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Steiner-Lindquist microsurgical stereotaxic guide in locating and facilitating the resection of obscure intracranial lesions.
• To assess the safety, complication rates, and hospital stay associated with using this stereotaxic guide.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-three patients with obscure intracranial lesions underwent localization using the Steiner-Lindquist microsurgical stereotaxic guide.
• Surgical resection was performed, with pathological examination to determine lesion type.
• Data on lesion location, size, resection extent, complications, and hospitalization were collected.

Main Results:

• The Steiner-Lindquist guide successfully located 33 lesions, predominantly in parietal (17) and frontal (6) regions, with 23 in subcortical/cortical areas.
• Total resection was achieved in 28 cases; common pathologies included glial tumors, metastases, meningiomas, and vascular malformations.
• Mean lesion size was 23 mm, with a mean hospital stay of 3.4 days; only two transient complications occurred.

Conclusions:

• The Steiner-Lindquist microsurgical stereotaxic guide is a valuable tool for pinpointing small and deep-seated intracranial lesions.
• Its use enables minimally invasive surgery via small craniotomies, leading to reduced postoperative complications and shorter hospital stays.