Peroperative sensing head adapted to be coupled to an ablation tool

A system for performing neurosurgery comprising:

• a handheld device comprising an excision tool and a probe, the handheld device configured to be manipulated by a neurosurgeon to detect and excise tumorous tissue of a patient's central nervous system, the probe configured to generate a first output corresponding to detection of beta particles and gamma radiation emitted by radioactive tracers absorbed by the tumorous tissue and a second output corresponding to detection of gamma radiation alone;
• a processing system having a monitor, the processing system configured to be coupled to the handheld device to receive and process the output of the probe and compare the first output to the second output to determine a concentration of beta particles emitted by the radioactive tracers, the processing system generating and displaying on the monitor, in real time, an image corresponding to the concentration of beta particles emitted by the radioactive tracers in the tumorous tissue that identifies a margin of the tumorous tissue, the image enabling the neurosurgeon to manipulate the handheld device to excise, and observe treatment of, tumorous tissue in real time.