Awake stereotactic brainstem biopsy via a contralateral, transfrontal, transventricular approach

Abstract

The authors describe a novel approach to stereotactic biopsy of lesions of the lateral pons and medial cerebellar peduncle, and its diagnostic success without morbidity. A contralateral approach laterally expands the accessible infratentorial area. It may also confer a theoretical reduction in neurological deficit with passage through non-dominant right hemisphere.

Key words:

• Brainstem tumour
• contralateral transventricular approach
• stereotactic biopsy