Page "Bilateral cingulotomy" Paragraph 10

In most cases the procedure starts with the medical team taking a number of CT scan X-ray images of the brain of the patient.

This step ensures that the exact target, the cingulate cortex is mapped out, so that the surgeon can identify it.

Then burr holes are created into the patient ’ s skull using a drill.

Lesions at the targeted tissue are made with the help of fine electrodes inserted very carefully at the right angle into the subject ’ s brain based on plotting charts and making sure important arteries and blood vessels are intact.

The electrode is placed in a, or a holder, with only its tip projecting.

Upon the correct insertion of the holder into the brain tissue, air is injected and more scan images are taken.

Then, after the medical team has made sure they are on the right track, the tip of the electrode is advanced to the plane of the cingulate where it is heated to 75-90 C. Once the first lesion is created it serves as a center around which several other lesions are created.

In order to confirm whether lesions are made at the right place, images are taken postoperatively and analyzed.