Stereotactic surgery: diagnostic and therapeutic role in the management of brain disorders and our experience at Ibn Sina hospital

ABSTRACT

To present the results of our experience with stereotactic surgery, which is a safe and minimally invasive technique, in the field of neurosurgery. Prospective study. Department of Neurosurgery, Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait. Forty patients underwent stereotactic surgery for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes during the five years between 2006 and 2011. There were 26 male and 14 female patients with a mean age of 47 years [range 9 - 70 yrs]. Twenty seven [67.5%] patients had diagnostic brain procedures and 13 [32.5%] had diagnostic as well as therapeutic procedures. The stereotactic surgery was carried out with the help of computerized tomography [CT] - guided Leksell stereotactic frame[registered] and Leksell SurgiPlan[registered] software. Stereotactic surgery. Outcome of surgery and complications. Stereotactic biopsies confirmed 28 [70%] patients with brain tumors; six [14%] with cerebral infections, four [10%] with multiple sclerosis and one with cerebral infarction. Stereotactic aspirations were performed in nine patients; four with cystic brain tumors and five with brain abscesses. Stereotactic insertion of Ommaya reservoir was performed in four patients with cystic brain lesions. Complication, related to the procedure was observed only in one patient and was managed conservatively. No other morbidity or mortality was noted. Stereotactic surgery is a minimal invasive technique that helps the neurosurgeon in further planning of an appropriate treatment after tissue biopsy. It can also be used as primary mode of treatment in patients with brain abscesses, cysts and intracranial hematomas