STEREOTAXIC GUIDED MICROSURGERY OF CEREBRAL-LESIONS

A total of 33 patients presenting with various cerebral lesions were o perated on with stereotactic guided craniotomy. In all cases the lesio n could be totally removed and only one patient suffered from a recurr ent metastasis. The survival time of patients with malignant brain tum ors was in the range of the generally reported data. All the six patie nts with malignant gliomas developed a recurrence, four of them have s ince died. Three of the four patients with brain metastases died from systemic progression of their disease, and one patient died from a rec urrence of a centrally located metastasis. A new neurological deficit occurred in only two patients. Despite the often deep or central local ization of the lesions, major complications were rare. Stereotactic gu idance and preoperative selection of the entry point allow a safer sur gical procedure, a larger indication for open surgery in cases conside red as not removable, and reduce surgical morbidity.