Efficacy of Electromagnetic Based Neuronavigation-Guided Biopsy of Supratentorial Lesions of the Brain at Jinnah Hospital Lahore

Abstract

Objective:  The study aims to establish the efficacy of electromagnetic-based neuro navigation-guided biopsy of supratentorial lesions (including deep-seated, multiple, and suspicious lesions) in selected patients.

Materials & Methods:  After being admitted to the neurosurgery department, all patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited for the research. Patients received neuroimaging in the form of CT/MRI brain with contrast using the neuronavigation protocol, and the data was uploaded to the Medtronic neuronavigation system. Under general anesthesia, all patients had a biopsy. On the console, the surgical trajectory for the biopsy was planned. Following the AxiEM system's usual operating protocols, a Sedan needle was used to biopsy lesions after its stylet was replaced with an EM stylet.

Results:  Out of 19 patients, 11 (60%) were male and 8 (40%) female while age ranged from 13 to 70 years. Out of 19 patients, 4 patients (21%) had parietal, occipital, and thalamic lesions respectively. 4 patients (21%) had low-grade glioma (grade 2) and 3 (15.7%) patients had Burkitt lymphoma, adenocarcinoma (likely from lungs), and blue cell tumor respectively. As regards complications, 2 patients (10.5%) developed hemorrhage, 1 patient (5.26%) developed postoperative cerebral edema, and 1 patient (5.26%) expired.

Conclusion:  Electromagnetic neuronavigation using the biopsy needle (Sedan needle) is a safe and effective neuronavigation system. It offers a high degree of accuracy required for the establishment of a definitive diagnosis and adequate treatment.