Today our topic of discussion is Brain Biopsy.
Brain Biopsy
BRAIN BIOPSY
Brain biopsy can be performed either as an open procedure or by using stereotactic needle localization. It is done for diagnosing brain tumors or abscess, central nervous system vasculitis, neurosarcoidosis and encephalitis.
Definition: A brain biopsy is a procedure used to remove a tumor or a piece of tissue from the brain so that it can be examined under a microscope to diagnose illness.
Types: Types of brain biopsies include needle biopsy. stereotactic biopsy, and open biopsy. In a needle biopsy, a small hole is drilled into the skull. A narrow, hollow needle is placed into the incision extract a tiny portion of the tumor or tissue to .
A stereotactic biopsy uses three-dimensional imaging technology, as well as data from CT and MRI scans, to examine a tumor or a piece of the brain. This procedure is minimally invasive. Patients can often tolerate it under light sedation, as opposed to general anesthesia.
Open biopsies are the most common form of brain biopsy. During the procedure, a surgeon removes a piece of bone from the skull while the patient is under general anesthesia. The tumor is exposed and removed. This is riskier than the other brain biopsy methods and requires a longer recovery time.
Reason for Brain-Biopsy
Doctors usually order brain biopsies to determine whether a tumor is cancerous or benign. It can also be used to diagnose dementia-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Inflammatory disorders and multiple sclerosis can also be identified with brain biopsies.
A brain-biopsy is generally seen as a last resort for diagnosing an illness. It is performed after imaging techniques prove inconclusive. In the case of dementia, the results may point to an illness that cannot be treated. Researchers have reported that the procedure may become more worthwhile for diagnosing dementia patients as new therapies are discovered.
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