Stereotactic frame-based guided brain biopsies: experience in a center in Latin America

Abstract

Introduction: Stereotactic guided biopsies are chosen for deep-located lesions, as well as for those in eloquent areas, when the risk outweighs the benefit of an open procedure, or when open surgery has no advantage over the suspected histology. Objective: This study aims to describe retrospectively the diagnostic yield and the morbidity and mortality related to a series of stereotactic-guided biopsies in a 6-year period in a single center in Latin America. Materials and methods: 62 medical records of patients who underwent stereotactic-guided brain biopsies were reviewed. The clinical features, the morbidity and mortality associated to the procedures were acquired. Results: The complication rate was 2.7% and the diagnostic yield reached 87%. The most frequent location of the target was frontal and the most frequent diagnosis was glioblastoma. Conclusions: The complication rate and the diagnostic yield in this series were similar to the observed in different series performed with frame-based stereotactic procedures or performed with neuronavigation in the literature.