The advantages of frameless stereotactic biopsy over frame-based biopsy

Health technology The use of frameless stereotactic biopsy was investigated. The technique consisted of a neuronavigation system, based on an infrared LED-based system (Easy Guide Neuro, Philips Medical Systems), and a novel stereotactic guide that was adaptable to a variety of instruments. The developed guide was freely adjustable to reach the entire cranium and would lock in place rigidly, allowing fine correction of the trajectory setting. The guide arm was fixed to a Mayfield clamp and the joints of the arm were locked simultaneously without producing tensional movement. This technique was compared with frame-based stereotactic biopsy. The stereotactic frames employed were the Codman-Roberts-Wells (Radioing) and the Resell (Elektra Instruments) systems. All biopsies were performed under general anaesthetic, induced prior to application of the base ring.