title: Stereotactic biopsy of non-neoplastic lesions in adults.
abstract: Stereotactic biopsy of intracranial lesions has been used primarily for the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions. A series of 158 consecutive stereotactic biopsies performed at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation resulted in 28 diagnoses of non-neoplastic disorders (18%). The majority of these were infectious, inflammatory, or demyelinating disorders. Stereotactic biopsy alone was diagnostic in 17 cases (61%), and biopsy in conjunction with clinical and laboratory data established definitive diagnoses in six cases (22%). All 23 definitive diagnoses led to modifications in patient management. Permanent neurologic morbidity occurred in only two patients (7%). We maintain that this procedure is underused. Stereotactic biopsy is safe, accurate, and useful for diagnosis of non-neoplastic neurologic disorders when the diagnosis is unclear by conventional means. In such cases, its use can lead to early diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Center for Computer Assisted Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sila
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rudick
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hassenbusch
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lanzieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000473:pathology