Document resource
Whilst brain biopsy is routinely used in the diagnosis of suspected CNS neoplastic disease, its role in the management of suspected non-neoplastic cryptogenic disease, is less clear. This retrospective, single centre study aims to evaluate the diagnostic utility of brain biopsy in this patient population.59 eligible patients were identified and information regarding the demographics, clinical presentation, eventual diagnosis and management were reviewed. The most common clinical presentations were focal neurological deficit (66%) followed by encephalopathy (39%). A majority (64.4%) had a targeted biopsy based on radiological abnormalities.Our results demonstrated that brain biopsy provided a definitive diagnosis in 52.5% of cases. Of the diagnostic biopsies, neuroinflammatory disease (45.2%) and primary CNS neoplasm (41.9%) were the most common diagnoses reported. 17% of patients experienced complications from the procedure, with seizures counting for the majority of these complications.These findings align with other studies reporting similar diagnostic outcomes and emphasise the clinical value of brain biopsy in suspected non-neoplastic neurological diseases. The study supports the continued use of brain biopsy as a useful tool in managing patients with cryptogenic neurological disease.Shika.Habershon@rlbuht.nhs.uk