Real-time magnetic resonance imaging-guided frameless stereotactic brain biopsy: technical note.
OBJECTIVE
The object of this study was to assess the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of real-time MRI-compatible frameless stereotactic brain biopsy.


METHODS
Clinical, imaging, and histological data in consecutive patients who underwent stereotactic brain biopsy using a frameless real-time MRI system were analyzed.


RESULTS
Five consecutive patients (4 males, 1 female) were included in this study. The mean age at biopsy was 45.8 years (range 29-60 years). Real-time MRI permitted concurrent display of the biopsy cannula trajectory and tip during placement at the target. The mean target depth of biopsied lesions was 71.3 mm (range 60.4-80.4 mm). Targeting accuracy analysis revealed a mean radial error of 1.3 ± 1.1 mm (mean ± standard deviation), mean depth error of 0.7 ± 0.3 mm, and a mean absolute tip error of 1.5 ± 1.1 mm. There was no correlation between target depth and absolute tip error (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, r = 0.22). All biopsy cannulae were placed at the target with a single penetration and resulted in a diagnostic specimen in all cases. Histopathological evaluation of biopsy samples revealed dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (1 case), breast carcinoma (1 case), and glioblastoma multiforme (3 cases).


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to place a biopsy cannula under real-time imaging guidance permits on-the-fly alterations in the cannula trajectory and/or tip placement. Real-time imaging during MRI-guided brain biopsy provides precise safe targeting of brain lesions.
Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio.
Ahmed
A
Mohyeldin
Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio.
Russell R
RR
Lonser
Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio.
J Bradley
JB
Elder
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D003199:Computer Systems; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
GBM = glioblastoma multiforme; biopsy; iMRI = intraoperative MRI; magnetic resonance imaging; surgical technique; technique; tumor