Planning a computerized, frameless
tumor removal

In many cases Frameless stereotaxis will be used during tumor resection. While not quite as precise as frame based stereotaxis, it can be quite accurate and useful for guiding the resection of many types of tumors. Instead of relying on a rigidly placed headframe, small markers are placed on the patient's scalp and an MRI is obtained up to a few days prior to surgery. On the day of surgery, these markers are used to register the exact position of the patient's head in three-dimensional space. As with frame based systems, this information is used by the stereotactic system to provide feedback during surgery allowing the surgeon to correctly identify the relative position and orientation of both tumor tissue and vital brain structures. This technique has the advantage of not requiring a separate procedure for headframe placement. The patient is usually admitted on the morning of surgery and the duration of hospitalization and schedule of events is the same as with frame based craniotomy.