Stereotactic implantation of deep brain electrodes using computed tomography

The selection of intracranial targets for stereotactic functional neurosurgical procedures traditionally has relied on information derived from pooled brain atlases and supplemented by contrast encephalographic or angiographic data from the individual patient. The integration of stereotaxy with computed tomography (CT) has permitted direct identification of intracranial targets based on multiplanar reformatted CT images from each individual patient. Four patients underwent the CT stereotactic implantation of a single deep brain electrode for the control of chronic pain (two cases) or of multiple depth electrodes for long term electroencephalographic recordings in the management of seizure disorders (two cases). In all patients, accurate and precise electrode placement was achieved from CT images alone. The use of CT permitted detailed anatomical stereotactic study of each patient's brain, the preplotting of electrode trajectories before probe insertion, and the rapid confirmation of precise electrode placement. Intraoperative contrast encephalography was not necessary. Functional neurosurgery was performed successfully and advantageously using CT stereotactic technique alone.