A Portable Computerized Tomographic Method for Tumor Biopsy

A system has been developed to store, manipulate, and selectively display computerized tomographic (CT) images in the operating theatre on a portable computer graphics display system. It is designed to aid the surgeon by presenting an on-line graphics display of stereotaxic probes superimposed on CT images. Graphic Simulation of the operative procedure by this technique also avoids the extreme expense of a CT-dedicated stereotaxic system or the cumbersome use of a non-dedicated CT scanner for performing stereotaxic biopsies and other procedures. The system also has multiple color graphics capabilities which can be used to enhance tumor demarcation zones. Additional Software subroutines allow volumetric determination of brain lesions and graphics overlaying of diencephalic brain maps for functional neurosurgical procedures.