Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic yield and morbidity following Brain Lab guided Brain biopsy for deep seated tumours in the Paediatric Population. METHODS: Subjects, 14 male and 8 females. Age range 1-15 years, mean 6.73. Patients identified retrospectively from Jan 2008-July 2016. Case notes were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: 22 biopsies were performed, all patients had General Anaesthetic Various locations were biopsied including tectum, brainstem and thalamus pineal gland, and hypothalamus and suprasellar region. Various entry points used with various biopsy lengths ranging from 58.6 to 129.2mm, mean 84.13, Standard deviation=17.5, Multiple biopsies were taken ranging in size from 1 to 18mm. 18 done by Consultant, 4 by SPR. All patients had Pre-operative MRI brain Lab; all patients had Post op imaging 21 MRI, 1 CT. In 15 patients radiological diagnosis matched histology. None of the patients had Complications post operatively. Histological diagnosis was obtained in 22 cases (100%) on first biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Brain lab Vario- guided Brain biopsy can be performed safely in deep seated tumour locations in the paediatric population without significant complications and has a high diagnostic yield. (100%).