A 3-DIMENSIONAL STEREOTAXIC DEVICE FOR COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY GUIDED INVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. A three-dimensional stereotactic technique i s presented as an improvement in precision needle placement for percut aneous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. METHODS. This method use s transaxial computed tomography (CT) imaging for the selection of the optimal target path, and it employs a three-dimensional stereotactic device designed to match precisely the CT parameters in a three-dimens ional space. RESULTS. In selected cases, we reached targets as small a s 1 to 2 cm while avoiding vital structures. CONCLUSIONS. In our hands , in selected cases, this has been a simple, safe, and accurate techni que for improvement of percutaneous diagnostic and therapeutic procedu res under CT guidance.