Frameless image-guided stereotactic brain biopsy procedure: diagnostic yield, surgical morbidity, and comparison with the frame-based technique

Object The gold standard for stereotactic brain biopsy target localization has been frame-based stereotaxy. Recently, frameless stereotactic techniques have become increasingly utilized. Few authors have evaluated this procedure, analyzed preoperative predictors of diagnostic yield, or explored the differences in diagnostic yield and morbidity rate between the frameless and frame-based techniques. Methods A consecutive series of 110 frameless and 160 frame-based image-guided stereotactic biopsy procedures was reviewed. Associated variables for both techniques were reviewed and compared. All stereotactic biopsy procedures were included in a risk factor analysis of nondiagnostic biopsy sampling. Frameless stereotaxy led to a diagnostic yield of 89%, with a total permanent morbidity rate of 6% and a mortality rate of 1%. Larger lesions were fivefold more likely to yield diagnostic tissues. Deep-seated lesions were 2.7-fold less likely to yield diagnostic tissues compared with cortical lesions. Frameless compared with frame-based stereotactic biopsy procedures showed no significant differences in diagnostic yield or transient or permanent morbidity. For cortical lesions, more than one needle trajectory was required more frequently to obtain diagnostic tissues with frame-based as opposed to frameless stereotaxy, although this factor was not associated with morbidity. Conclusions With regard to diagnostic yield and complication rate, the frameless stereotactic biopsy procedure was found to be comparable to or better than the frame-based method. Smaller and deep-seated lesions together were risk factors for a nondiagnostic tissue yield. Frameless stereotaxy may represent a more efficient means of obtaining biopsy specimens of cortical lesions but is otherwise similar to the frame-based technique.

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Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages and frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy

Surgical Neurology International ◽

10.25259/sni_102_2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 218

Author(s):

Monica Lara-Almunia ◽

Javier Hernandez-Vicente

Keyword(s):

Stereotactic Biopsy ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Mass Effect ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Stereotactic Techniques ◽

Cystic Component ◽

Usual Clinical Practice ◽

Permanent Morbidity ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background: Stereotactic biopsy is a well-established procedure in neurosurgery. Our objective is to define the clinical, radiological, and technical factors that can condition the emergence of postbiopsy symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Based on our findings, we suggest recommendations to improve its usual clinical practice. Methods: We made a retrospective study of 429 cases with stereotactic biopsies performed in the past 37 years. The surgical procedure-was adapted in terms of the stereotactic frames (Todd-Wells, CRW, Leksell), neuroimaging tests, and planning programs available in the hospital. Fifty-three variables were analyzed for each patient (SPSS.23). Results: The diagnostic yield was 90.7%. Forty-one patients (9.5%) suffered a symptomatic postbiopsy hemorrhage; only 17 (3.9%) had permanent morbidity. The mortality was 0.93% (n = 4). A postsurgical CT scan was requested only in 99 patients (23%) of our series. Lesion mass effect, cystic component, contrast enhancement, histological nature, or number of targets were not associated with a greater risk of symptomatic postbiopsy hemorrhage (P > 0.05). On the other hand, the biopsies made by nonexpert neurosurgeons (P = 0.01) or under general anesthesia (P = 0.02) resulted in a greater risk of symptomatic postbiopsy hemorrhage. Anesthetic type was the clearest predictive factor of bleeding with this technique (OR: 0.24). Conclusion: Stereotactic biopsy is a very valuable tool. To optimize its safety and minimize the risk of intracranial bleeding, it requires both a knowledge of stereotactic techniques and very careful surgical planning. While the patient’s stay in intensive vigilance units after the procedure is a useful strategy, the request for control CT scans should be conditioned by the clinical evolution of each patient.

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Frameless robotically targeted stereotactic brain biopsy: feasibility, diagnostic yield, and safety

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2012.1.jns111746 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 116 (5) ◽

pp. 1002-1006 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Kimon Bekelis ◽

Tarek A. Radwan ◽

Atman Desai ◽

David W. Roberts

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Frameless Stereotaxy ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Image Guided ◽

Mean Size ◽

Accurate Procedure ◽

Bridging Veins ◽

Needle Trajectory ◽

Second Procedure

Object Frameless stereotactic brain biopsy has become an established procedure in many neurosurgical centers worldwide. Robotic modifications of image-guided frameless stereotaxy hold promise for making these procedures safer, more effective, and more efficient. The authors hypothesized that robotic brain biopsy is a safe, accurate procedure, with a high diagnostic yield and a safety profile comparable to other stereotactic biopsy methods. Methods This retrospective study included 41 patients undergoing frameless stereotactic brain biopsy of lesions (mean size 2.9 cm) for diagnostic purposes. All patients underwent image-guided, robotic biopsy in which the SurgiScope system was used in conjunction with scalp fiducial markers and a preoperatively selected target and trajectory. Forty-five procedures, with 50 supratentorial targets selected, were performed. Results The mean operative time was 44.6 minutes for the robotic biopsy procedures. This decreased over the second half of the study by 37%, from 54.7 to 34.5 minutes (p < 0.025). The diagnostic yield was 97.8% per procedure, with a second procedure being diagnostic in the single nondiagnostic case. Complications included one transient worsening of a preexisting deficit (2%) and another deficit that was permanent (2%). There were no infections. Conclusions Robotic biopsy involving a preselected target and trajectory is safe, accurate, efficient, and comparable to other procedures employing either frame-based stereotaxy or frameless, nonrobotic stereotaxy. It permits biopsy in all patients, including those with small target lesions. Robotic biopsy planning facilitates careful preoperative study and optimization of needle trajectory to avoid sulcal vessels, bridging veins, and ventricular penetration.

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P.157 Frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy: A retrospective review of diagnostic yield and complications at a Canadian Center

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/cjn.2021.433 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (s3) ◽

pp. S65-S65

Author(s):

PJ Gariscsak ◽

C Gui ◽

JC Lau ◽

JF Megyesi

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Chart Review ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Morbidity Rate ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Final Pathology ◽

Diagnostic Biopsy

Background: Historically, frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy (SBB) has played an important role in the diagnosis of intracranial lesions. We performed a single centre analysis of the outcomes and efficacy of SBB at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of frame-based SBB from 2006 to 2017 at the LHSC. Intra-operative and final pathology reports were analyzed for biopsy diagnosis and the diagnosis was compared with pre-operative neuroimaging reports for correlation. SBB-associated morbidity and mortality were investigated using chart review and post-operative neuroimaging. Results: 173 consecutive patients were identified. The overall morbidity rate was 8.7% (15 cases) and mortality rate was 0.6% (1 case). Final biopsy diagnostic accuracy was 96%, intra-operative diagnostic accuracy was 94% and pre-operative imaging diagnostic accuracy was 65%. Elevated partial thromboplastin time and the presence of hemorrhage on post-operative CT were associated with neurological morbidity and mortality. The need to obtain three or greater samples the time of biopsy was associated with non-diagnostic biopsy. Conclusions: At the LHSC, SBB is a relatively safe and effective surgical procedure with high diagnostic yield and relatively low risk of complications. Intra-operative pathology has a high efficacy in determining diagnosis when compared to final pathology.

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IMPACT OF BRAIN BIOPSY ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH NONNEOPLASTIC UNDIAGNOSED NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000318168.97966.17 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 833-838 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Heinke Pulhorn ◽

D. Gavin Quigley ◽

Jark J.D. Bosma ◽

Ramez Kirollos ◽

Daniel G. du Plessis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurological Disorders ◽

Stereotactic Biopsy ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Diagnostic Category ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Clinical Impact ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Open Biopsy ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy

Abstract OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the diagnostic yield, complication rates, and therapeutic impact of open brain biopsy and serial stereotactic brain biopsy in the management of patients with nonneoplastic neurological conditions in which conventional investigations did not yield a definitive diagnosis. METHODS A retrospective case note analysis was undertaken in consecutive patients undergoing brain biopsy at The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery during a 15-year period. The diagnostic yield, prebiopsy diagnostic category, biopsy technique (open versus stereotactic), complication rates, and impact on clinical management were assessed. Biopsies were grouped into one of five categories: diagnostic, suggestive, nonspecific, normal, or nondiagnostic. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients underwent biopsy. The diagnostic yield (combined diagnostic and suggestive) of targeted serial stereotactic biopsy was 64% (seven of 11 patients); in the open brain biopsy group, the diagnostic yield was 46% (13 of 28 patients). The prebiopsy diagnosis was confirmed in 100% (three of three patients) stereotactic biopsy patients and 75% (nine of 12 patients) of open biopsy patients. Two patients (7%) in the open biopsy group had short-term complications. The clinical impact was similar in both groups: nine of 28 (32%) open biopsy patients and four of 11 (36%) stereotactic biopsy patients. CONCLUSION Despite the low clinical impact, diagnostic brain biopsy should be considered in patients with nonneoplastic undiagnosed neurological disorders. Patients with neuroimaging abnormalities should preferentially undergo targeted biopsy.

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Frame-based versus frameless stereotactic brain biopsies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Surgical Neurology International ◽

10.25259/sni_824_2020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 52

Author(s):

Mohamad Ali Kesserwan ◽

Husain Shakil ◽

Melissa Lannon ◽

Ryan McGinn ◽

Laura Banfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Frameless Stereotaxy ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Assessment Development ◽

Relative Risks ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Stereotactic brain biopsy techniques have been a focus of rapid technological innovation. The recent advent of frameless stereotaxy has invited the question of whether it can provide the same diagnostic yield as frame-based techniques, without increasing risk of harm to patients. The goal of this meta-analysis was to compare each of these techniques in terms of yield and safety. Methods: We independently searched four databases for English studies comparing frameless and frame-based stereotactic brain biopsies. Our primary outcome was biopsy diagnostic yield. Our secondary outcomes included mortality, morbidity (e.g., symptomatic postbiopsy intracranial hemorrhage, asymptomatic postbiopsy intracranial hemorrhage, new postbiopsy neurological deficit, and postbiopsy seizure), and frequency of repeat biopsy. We calculated pooled estimates and relative risks for dichotomous outcomes using Review Manager 5.3, with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 3256 stereotactic brain biopsies (2050 frame based and 1206 frameless), from 20 studies, were included in our final analysis. The results did not demonstrate any significant difference between the two stereotactic systems in terms of diagnostic yield (risk ratio [RR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99–1.02, P = 0.64, I2 = 0%). The only significant difference was the increased frequency of asymptomatic hemorrhages in the frameless group (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06–1.75, P = 0.01, I2 = 0%). Application of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to the results yielded very low quality of all outcomes. Conclusion: Based on very low-quality evidence, both frame-based and frameless stereotaxy are safe and effective for biopsy of intracranial tumors. Further study of patient preference and cost comparing analysis is required to identify if either modality should be preferred.

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Diagnostic yield of stereotactic brain biopsy guided by positron emission tomography with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.1995.82.3.0445 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 82 (3) ◽

pp. 445-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 118

Author(s):

Marc Levivier ◽

Serge Goldman ◽

Benoît Pirotte ◽

Jean-Marie Brucher ◽

Danielle Balériaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Positron Emission Tomography ◽

Fdg Pet ◽

Stereotactic Biopsy ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Emission Tomography ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Ct Guided ◽

Content Type ◽

Positron Emission

✓ The aim of the present study was to determine whether routine integration of positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the planning of stereotactic brain biopsy increases the technique's diagnostic yield. Forty-three patients underwent combined FDG-PET— and computerized tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic biopsy of intracranial lesions according to a previously described technique. In 36 patients, an area of abnormal FDG uptake was used to guide at least one stereotactic biopsy trajectory. A total of 90 stereotactic trajectories were performed; among them, 55 were based on FDG-PET—defined targets and 35 were based on CT-defined targets. Histological diagnosis was obtained in all patients, but six of the 90 trajectories were nondiagnostic; all six were based on targets defined by CT only. Differences between the diagnostic yield of trajectories based on FDG-PET—defined targets and those based on CT-defined targets were statistically significant in patients with contrast-enhanced lesions, but not in patients with nonenhancing lesions. These results support the view the FDG-PET may contribute to the successful management of brain tumor patients requiring stereotactic biopsy. Because no significant increase in discomfort or morbidity related to the technique was found, it is suggested that the development of similar techniques integrating PET data in the planning of stereotactic biopsy should be considered by centers performing stereotactic surgery and having access to PET technology.

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Incidence of silent hemorrhage and delayed deterioration after stereotactic brain biopsy

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.1998.89.1.0031 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 31-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

Abhaya V. Kulkarni ◽

Abhijit Guha ◽

Andres Lozano ◽

Mark Bernstein

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Neurological Deficit ◽

Stereotactic Biopsy ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Ct Scanning ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Content Type ◽

Fine Print

Object. Many neurosurgeons routinely obtain computerized tomography (CT) scans to rule out hemorrhage in patients after stereotactic procedures. In the present prospective study, the authors investigated the rate of silent hemorrhage and delayed deterioration after stereotactic biopsy sampling and the role of postbiopsy CT scanning. Methods. A subset of patients (the last 102 of approximately 800 patients) who underwent stereotactic brain biopsies at the Toronto Hospital prospectively underwent routine postoperative CT scanning within hours of the biopsy procedure. Their medical charts and CT scans were then reviewed. A postoperative CT scan was obtained in 102 patients (aged 17–87 years) who underwent stereotactic biopsy between June 1994 and September 1996. Sixty-one patients (59.8%) exhibited hemorrhages, mostly intracerebral (54.9%), on the immediate postoperative scan. Only six of these patients were clinically suspected to have suffered a hemorrhage based on immediate postoperative neurological deficit; in the remaining 55 (53.9%) of 102 patients, the hemorrhage was clinically silent and unsuspected. Among the clinically silent intracerebral hemorrhages, 22 measured less than 5 mm, 20 between 5 and 10 mm, five between 10 and 30 mm, and four between 30 and 40 mm. Of the 55 patients with clinically silent hemorrhages, only three demonstrated a delayed neurological deficit (one case of seizure and two cases of progressive loss of consciousness) and these all occurred within the first 2 postoperative days. Of the neurologically well patients in whom no hemorrhage was demonstrated on initial postoperative CT scan, none experienced delayed deterioration. Conclusions. Clinically silent hemorrhage after stereotactic biopsy is very common. However, the authors did not find that knowledge of its existence ultimately affected individual patient management or outcome. The authors, therefore, suggest that the most important role of postoperative CT scanning is to screen for those neurologically well patients with no hemorrhage. These patients could safely be discharged on the same day they underwent biopsy.

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Stereotactic Brain Biopsy in Eloquent Areas Assisted by Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: a Technical Case Report

Operative Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/ons/opy321 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. E124-E129 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jiri Bartek ◽

Gerald Cooray ◽

Mominul Islam ◽

Margret Jensdottir

Keyword(s):

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Stereotactic Biopsy ◽

Brain Biopsy ◽

Awake Surgery ◽

Histopathological Diagnosis ◽

Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽

Eloquent Areas ◽

The Brain

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Stereotactic brain biopsy (SB) is an important part of the neurosurgical armamentarium, with the possibility of achieving histopathological diagnosis in otherwise inaccessible lesions of the brain. Nevertheless, the procedure is not without the risk of morbidity, which is especially true for lesions in eloquent parts of the brain, where even a minor adverse event can result in significant deficits. Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is widely used to chart lesions in eloquent areas, successfully guiding maximal safe resection, while its potential role in aiding with the planning of a stereotactic biopsy is so far unexplored. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Magnetic resonance imaging of a 67-yr-old woman presenting with dysphasia revealed a noncontrast enhancing left-sided lesion in the frontal and parietal pars opercularis. Due to the location of the lesion, nTMS was used to chart both primary motor and language cortex, utilizing this information to plan a safe SB trajectory and sampling area according to the initial work-up recommendations from the multidisciplinary neuro-oncology board. The SB was uneventful, with histology revealing a ganglioglioma, WHO I. The patient was discharged the following day, having declined to proceed with tumor resection (awake surgery) due to the non-negligible risk of morbidity. Upon 1- and 3-mo follow-up, she showed no signs of any procedure-related deficits. CONCLUSION nTMS can be implemented to aid with the planning of a stereotactic biopsy procedure in eloquent areas of the brain, and should be considered part of the neurosurgical armamentarium.

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