stereotactic brain tumor biopsy

Posted By ggd on January 02, 1999 at 18:48:42:







You have been very helpful in past questions, here I go again....I had a craniotomy which was to do a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis, then remove core of tumor (diagnosis was low grade glioma on left temporal lobe, 4x4x6) The biopsy surprisingly came back normal so there was no removal.  An MRI done 2 months later showed no difference in mass but the radiologist doing the report claimed the biopsy missed the tumor.  A "second opinion" neurosurgeon thinks this is important to be diagnosed.  He is suggesting a stereotactic biopsy.  He believes this is a low grade glioma that will require a craniotomy to remove what is possible.  I cannot decide what to do here. I believe he may be suggesting the stereotactic biopsy because of the first craniotomy being questionable.  He does this with a local anesthetic while I sit in a chair.  I would spend one night in the hospital for precaution.  I have researched this some and all I find is the patient actually being put under.  How do you do this?  How accurate is the biopsy?  How dangerous is this? What side effects have you dealt with?  Any recommendations?  At this rate, I may lose my mind mentally before physically.  Thanks again for any input..it is very appreciated.