Precise placement of a needle within the brain used to be accomplished by placing a frame affixed to the skull, and a needle using three-dimensional coordinates was used to locate this area. Technological advancements have allowed frameless navigation, which we use to place a temporary skull device and subsequently pass a needle precisely (based upon a person’s own CT or MRI scan) into the object for a biopsy. Brain tumors or abscesses can be accessed in this way. We have used this method for deeper access within the brain, generally with good results.

FOR AN ANIMATED VIDEO of STEREOTACTIC BIOPSY, please CLICK HERE