page_title: Brain biopsy
section_title: Procedure
hierarchical_section_title: Brain biopsy / Procedure
caption_attribution_description: English: Simplistic representation of a stereotactic brain biopsy.
context_page_description: Brain biopsy is the removal of a small piece of brain tissue for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the brain. It is used to diagnose tumors, infection, inflammation, and other brain disorders. By examining the tissue sample under a microscope, the biopsy sample provides information about the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
context_section_description: Procedures are categorized into stereotactic, needle, and open. Stereotactic is the least invasive and open is the most invasive.
  When an abnormality of the brain is suspected, stereotactic (probing in three dimensions) brain needle biopsy is performed and guided precisely by a computer system to avoid serious complications. A small hole is drilled into the skull, and a needle is inserted into the brain tissue guided by computer-assisted imaging techniques (CT or MRI scans). Historically, the patient's head was held in a rigid frame to direct the probe into the brain; however, since the early 1990s, it has been possible to perform these biopsies without the frame. Since the frame was attached to the skull with screws, this advancement is less invasive and better tolerated by the patient. The doctor (pathologist) prepares the sample for analysis and studies it further under a microscope.
caption: Simplistic representation of a stereotactic brain biopsy
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