Computer-assisted volumetric stereotactic neurosurgery: present methodology and future directions

Classic craniotomy for biopsy or resection of intra-axial brain tumors usually employed large skin flaps and craniotomy openings. These were necessary so that surgeons could be certain that a subcortical tumor could be localized and that the extent of the lesion lay somewhere beneath and within the limits of the craniotomy. Localization methods for classic resection methods were qualitative and imprecise.