title: A minimally invasive approach to deep-seated brain lesions using balloon dilatation and ultrasound guidance.
abstract: Conventional dissection techniques require the excision of a channel from the cortex through the white matter with suction and bipolar cautery for the excision of deep-seated brain lesions. An alternative approach, using a previously described technique, in four cases is illustrated in this article. After craniotomy and dural opening, the index finger portion of a surgical glove was removed, tied over a brain cannula and gently passed towards the lesion under ultrasound guidance. Once the needle-tip was sonologically confirmed to be on the lesion, the balloon was inflated with about 3 to 5 ml of saline. This created a track through which the lesion could be excised under the microscope. The lesions were satisfactorily excised through the track created without removal of brain tissue. The accuracy of this minimally invasive technique can be enhanced when used in conjunction with intraoperative ultrasound guidance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Section of Neurosurgery, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: N K Shyam
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Chacko
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020288:Papilloma, Choroid Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*