Precision resection of intra-axial CNS lesions by CT-based stereotactic craniotomy and computer monitored CO2 laser

This report describes an open stereotactic technique by which a tumour volume reconstructed in stereotactic space from CT data is removed by stereotactic CO2 laser vaporization. The position of the laser beam in relation to the tumour outlines is monitored by computer and displayed to the surgeon on a graphics display terminal in the operating room. Twenty-six (26) of these procedures have been performed on twenty-four (24) patients with deep-seated intra-axial neoplasms (23) and arteriovenous malformation (1). Post-operative CT scanning revealed no evidence of contrast enhancing lesions in nineteen (19) patients while a small amount of residual tumour was noted in five (5) patients post-operatively. This method has proven itself valuable for maintaining three-dimensional surgical orientation for the resection of intra-axial neoplasms from neurologically important areas.