Computer assisted stereotactic biopsy and volumetric resection of pediatric brain tumors

Like adults, children may undergo stereotactic CT, MRI, and digital angiography with their heads fixed in an imaging compatible head holder. Tumor volumes are digitized from stereotactic CT and MRI slice images. The tumor volume can then be sliced perpendicular to the surgical view line, which is the surgical approach expressed in terms of angular settings on the stereotactic instrument. These sliced images are displayed on a computer monitor in the operating room and are used to guide the surgery and help the surgeon identify the plane between tumor and surrounding brain tissue.