Are stereotactic sample biopsies still of value in the modern management of XXXX ? Lessons from a single-department, retrospective series.

@entity1 @entity1410 @entity979
OBJECTIVE: Recent improvements in imaging-based diagnosis, the broader application of neuroendoscopic techniques and advances in open surgery techniques mean that the need for stereotactic biopsies in the management of @entity979 must be reevaluated. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to establish whether stereotactic biopsy is still of value in the modern management of @entity979 . METHODS: From 1985 to 2009, 88 consecutive @entity1 underwent a stereotactic biopsy in our institution (51 males and 37 females; median age at presentation 30; range 2-74). RESULTS: Accurate tissue diagnoses were obtained in all but one case (i.e. 99%). In one case (1%), three distinct stereotactic procedures were necessary to obtain a tissue diagnosis. There was no mortality or permanent morbidity associated with stereotactic biopsy. One @entity1 (1%) presented an intra-parenchymal @entity1410 but no related clinical symptoms. Five @entity1 (6%) presented transient morbidity, which lasted for between 2  days and 3  weeks after the biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: To guide subsequent treatment, we believe that histological diagnosis is paramount. Stereotactic biopsies are currently the safest and the most efficient way of obtaining this essential information. Recent improvements in stereotactic technology (particularly robotic techniques) appear to be very valuable, with almost no permanent morbidity or mortality risk and no decrease in the accuracy rate. In our opinion, other available neurosurgical techniques (such as endoscopic neurosurgery, stereotactic neurosurgery and open microsurgery) are complementary and not competitive.
