Onkologie. 2012:6(4):223-226

The benefits of stereotactic biopsy for the diagnostic workup in posterior fossa lesions

Jan Chrastina^1,5, Zdeněk Novák^1,5, Pavel Cejpek¹, Věra Feitová², Markéta Hermanová³, Michal Reif⁴, Ivo Říha^1,5, Jiří Vaníček^2,6

¹ Neurochirurgická klinika LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

² Klinika zobrazovacích metod LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

³ I. patologickoanatomický ústav LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

⁴ I. neurologická klinika LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

⁵ CEITEC &ndash, Středoevropský technologický institut, Masarykova univerzita, Brno

Histological verification of CT or MRI suspected brain tumor is at prezent time necessary requirement for the indication of complex oncological



treatment: Lesions affecting posterior fossa structures are less frequent target for stereotactic biopsy because of the concentration

of vital structures in the limited space and more demanding approach. The choice of the approach is determined mainly by the lesion

relationship to brainstem components. It is possible to use transfrontal approach along the long axis of the brainstem (lesions affecting

mezencephalic and upper pontine region), transtentorial (lesions affecting cerebellar hemisphere and vermis) and direct transcerebellar

(lesions of cerebellar hemisphere and pons, especially lateral). The paper analyses the use of the modified transcerebellar approach in 2

patients with lesions of unclear etiology affecting posterior fossa structures. In both patients transcerebellar stereotactic biopsy lead to

diagnosis with decisive impact on further treatment strategy – indication of complex oncological treatment.

Keywords: frame based stereotaxy, brain tumor biopsy, cerebellar astrocytoma, medulloblastoma

Published: October 1, 2012  Show citation