FRAMELESS STEREOTAXIC DRAINAGE OF INTRACRANIAL ABSCESSES

Our preliminary experience is presented in the use of the Aachen Compu ter-Assisted Surgery device for frameless stereotactic puncture and dr ainage of intracranial abscesses through a 2. 1 -mm twist-drill hole. The apparatus and technique are described, along with the results of i ts use in 2 patients. Intraoperatively the semiactive system presents a schematic display of the drainage probe projected into a 3D model of the situs on the monitor screen corresponding to the instrument's pos ition. As the surgeon directs the probe into the abscess the correspon ding section is displayed. Thereby drainage is easily achieved under v isual control.