Stereotactic Brainstem Lesion Biopsy

This retrospective study analyzed 33 consecutive patients benefitting from either Remebot frameless or frame-based stereotactic brainstem lesion biopsy at the Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji hospital, from January 2016 to January 2021. The included patients presented with a brainstem tumor without clear diagnosis, requiring a biopsy approved by a multidisciplinary neuro-radio-oncology board discussion. Brainstem tumors were defined by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as involving the mesencephalon, crus cerebri, pons, or medulla oblongata. The patients were divided into two groups: the frame-based group (Frame, n = 11) and the Remebot frameless group (Remebot, n = 22).
This study was approved by the ethics committee of Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. All patients and/or their relatives signed informed consent documents.