EVALUATION OF THE PELORUS STEREOTAXIC SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR CT-GUIDED STEREOTAXIC BRAIN BIOPSY

The Pelorus Stereotactic Surgical System is a relatively new, commerci ally available device that can be used to perform computed tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic brain biopsy. It has been promoted as being a relatively simple and inexpensive system that is more rapid, less cum bersome, and generally easier to use than conventional stereotactic fr ames. In this paper, we describe the Pelorus System, and report on its diagnostic accuracy and associated morbidity, based on our experience with 49 consecutive patients in two institutions. Patients ranging fr om 7 months to 85 years of age had CT-guided stereotactic biopsy, prim arily for diagnosis of lesions deep within the cerebral hemispheres. T wo transfrontal biopsies of the lateral pons were also done. Satisfact ory tissue for histologic diagnosis was obtained in 42 of 49 patients (86%). In this series, there were two deaths in the immediate postoper ative period, unrelated to the use of the Pelorus System. One patient suffered a transient neurologic deficit, which resolved over a period of 3 days. Although the Pelorus System has some limitations, we found it easy to use, well-tolerated by patients, and useful for performing CT-guided stereotactic biopsy.