A series of 36 different stereotactic neurosurgical procedures is analyzed to evaluate the significance of this technique in the management of brain lesions. The objectives of those procedures were biopsy alone in the majority of patients (61 %), biopsy and aspiration in 28%, aspiration alone in 6%; and lesion resection .in 6%. There was no procedure-related mortality or permanent morbidity secondary to this technique. There were three postoperative transient complications. Intraoperative smearing was routinely performed in all cases and was positive in all but one case with 97.2% accuracy. This was highly useful in some cases to redirect the line of management according to the observed pathology. Stereotactic neuro-surgical technique coupled with intraoperative smearing appears to be a safe, reliable and effective method with a complication rate lower than craniotomy and open surgery. |
