STEREOTAXIC INDICATIONS FOR NEURORADIOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS

The modern neurodiagnostic techniques of MR imaging, CT scanning and a ngiography provide valuable morphological information that, although h ighly sensitive to tumour localisation, still lacks comparable specifi city as to the exact histological nature of those lesions demonstrated . Biopsy remains necessary. To patients with potentially inoperable le sions or lesions best treated by chemotherapy or irradiation, modern t echniques of neurosurgery now offer the option of precise stereotactic biopsy through small twist-drill burr holes as opposed to open biopsy . The interrelationships between MR, CT, angiography and stereotactic biopsy and their respective roles in the establishment of a definitive diagnosis are discussed.