A stereotactic biopsy is a highly precise procedure that allows even changes deep within the brain to be reached with millimeter accuracy and small tissue samples to be safely removed—with minimal risk to patients.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing a brain tumor using imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is often unclear whether the tumor is intrinsic to the brain (primary brain tumor) or a metastasis from another tumor. A precise tissue examination (biopsy) is crucial in order to reliably determine the type of tumor and plan a targeted, effective treatment.
Stereotactic biopsy
In cases where a lesion is located deep within the brain, in a sensitive area, or is very small, stereotactic biopsy is the safest and most precise method of tissue sampling.
Stereotactic procedures are highly precise neurosurgical techniques that can be used to reach even deep-seated lesions with millimeter precision – while minimizing the risk to patients.
The procedure is performed using a stereotactic frame or a robot-assisted stereotactic system. Both enable precise targeting of any point in the brain.
Procedure
The procedure is minimally invasive:
- A small incision is made in the skin and a hole a few millimeters in diameter is drilled into the skull.
- A stereotactic needle is used to take several tissue samples from the target area.
- These samples are then examined microscopically by the pathology department in order to make a clear diagnosis.
Combination with laser therapy (LITT)
During the same procedure, a laser probe can be inserted in selected patients to targetedly destroy the tumor tissue. This procedure is called LITT (Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy).
The treatment is performed under MRI guidance, which allows the size and effect of the thermal lesion to be monitored and adjusted in real time.
This allows certain tumors to be treated in a minimally invasive, precise, and tissue-sparing manner.