title: Experience in 300 cases of CT-directed stereotactic surgery for lesion biopsy and aspiration of haematoma.
abstract: Despite advances in imaging of the brain, an accurate diagnosis of brain lesions requires tissue sampling and histological verification. A series of CT-directed procedures has been performed in 300 patients with deep sited, multiple, diffuse, extensive, small or inflammatory lesions, brain stem haematomas and tumours presenting with epilepsy. A positive diagnosis was obtained in 271 cases (92.8%), no diagnosis in 21 cases (7.2%). Therapeutic results were also obtained in eight cases (2.7%) of brain stem haematoma aspiration. Complications occurred in 14 cases (4.7%) including one death (0.3%). Because of the importance of an accurate diagnosis in order to avoid inappropriate therapy, together with the relative safety of the technique, CT-directed stereotactic biopsy should be considered in all patients harbouring deep seated, multiple, diffuse, small or inflammatory brain lesions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, National Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nouby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed