Images for Stereotactic Neurosurgery

Chung, Hyun-Tai; Kim, Dong Gyu

Review article

Journal of the Korean Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2005;1(1):1-9.
Published online June 30, 2005.

Images for Stereotactic Neurosurgery

Hyun-Tai Chung, Dong Gyu Kim

Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Stereotactic procedures are widely used in neurosurgery. One of the characteristic of the stereotactic procedures, minimal or sometimes non-invasive character, endows neurosurgeons a chance to manage their patients in a securer way with less complication. The accuracy of the modern stereotactic system often provides a better way to approach the targets than human eye even in open craniotomies. Medical images are fundamental elements of all stereotactic procedures. Since we do not open the skull, the images are the only way to see inside the skull and the accuracy of the image is one of the most important factor to define the accuracy of the whole stereotactic procedure. Since the introduction of stereotaxy in neurosurgery, many imaging modalities had been adapted or abandoned. Several modern imaging modalities for stereotactic neurosurgical procedures were reviewed in this article to manifest their usefulness and limits. Some techniques necessary in taking those images were also included to provide a guidance of image preparation.

Key Words: Medical image, Stereotactic neurosurgery, Accuracy, Radiosurgery.