CU Annual Stereotactic and Functional Hands on Course

This two-and-a-half-day course is conducted by internationally known neurosurgery faculty who address a variety of neuromodulation and ablative techniques, stereotactic planning and execution of stereotactic principles. The hands-on workshop sessions include instruction on correctly attaching stereotactic devices to cadaveric heads and phantoms; correctly performing stereotactic targeting using available neuronavigation platforms; performing stereotactic radiosurgery for functional targets; and conducting radiofrequency and laser ablation of brain targets including pallidum and hippocampus. In addition, practitioners learn to identify standard targets in functional neurosurgery using state-of-the-art neurophysiological mapping and MRI-guided techniques. Practitioners learn and practice the use of 2D fluorography, CT scanning and MR imaging intraoperatively to verify electrode position after implantation of DBS electrodes.