Indications for stereotactic biopsy in brain tumours

Abstract

The techniques of stereotactic biopsy of mass lesions of the brain are described, and the indications discussed. Since computerized axial tomography has become available the decision to perform a stereotactic biopsy is made more frequently than previously. Stereotactic techniques in neuro-oncology are a continuously expanding field of largely diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic procedures. It now seems likely that most centres concerned with brain tumour patients will make use of stereotactic biopsies in the future. A series of 60 stereotactic biopsies performed in the management of otherwise inaccessible tumours of the brain is presented.