About Stereotactic Biopsy
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive with high precision, minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue.Provides a definitive tissue diagnosis for brain lesions, guiding treatment plans.Often performed with local anesthesia and sedation, reducing risks associated with general anesthesia.Shorter procedure time and hospital stay compared to open brain surgery.Lower risk of infection and bleeding due to the small incision and entry point.Can target deep-seated or eloquent brain areas that are risky for open surgery./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- To diagnose the type and grade of a brain tumor (e.g., glioma, lymphoma).
- To investigate unexplained brain lesions found on MRI or CT scans.
- To differentiate between a tumor, an infection (like an abscess), and inflammation.
- To obtain tissue for genetic or molecular testing of a tumor to guide targeted therapies.
- When the lesion is in a deep, critical, or hard-to-reach area of the brain (e.g., brainstem, thalamus).
- When the patient's overall health makes a major open surgery too risky.
How to prepare
- Complete pre-operative medical evaluations, including blood tests and imaging (MRI/CT).
- Discussion with the neurosurgeon about the procedure, risks, benefits, and anesthesia.
- Discontinuation of blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) as advised by the doctor.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure if general anesthesia or sedation is planned.
- Arranging for someone to drive you home and assist you after the hospital stay.
- A preoperative MRI or CT scan with special markers to create a surgical navigation plan.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding (hemorrhage) at the biopsy site or along the needle track.
- Infection in the brain (meningitis, abscess) or at the incision site.
- Swelling (edema) in the brain.
- Seizures during or after the procedure.
- Neurological deficits, such as weakness, numbness, speech difficulty, or vision changes.
- Headache, nausea, or dizziness.
- Rarely, stroke, coma, or death due to complications.
- Inconclusive biopsy result requiring a repeat procedure.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate post-procedure monitoring in a recovery area for several hours to watch for complications.
- Hospital stay for observation, typically for 1-2 days.
- Management of pain with prescribed medications; headache is common.
- The small scalp incision requires simple care; stitches or staples are removed in 7-10 days.
- Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and bending over for the first 1-2 weeks.
- Follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon to discuss biopsy results and further treatment plans.
- Report any severe headache, fever, seizure, weakness, or confusion to your doctor immediately.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering stereotactic biopsy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for stereotactic biopsy in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform stereotactic biopsy. MediFyr helps you compare neurosurgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for stereotactic biopsy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Stereotactic Biopsy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing stereotactic biopsy.
Anjali Davis, a 42-year-old high school...
Anjali Davis, a 42-year-old high school biology teacher and mother of two, began experiencing subtle but persistent memory lapses and occasional word-finding difficulties. An avid runner, she also noticed a slight, intermittent weakness in her left leg. An MRI revealed a small, deep-seated lesion in her right parietal lobe. Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Evans, recommended a stereotactic biopsy to obtain a definitive diagnosis, explaining it as a minimally invasive 'keyhole' procedure using a computer-guided frame to precisely target the abnormality. Anjali was terrified of brain surgery but clung to the hope of answers. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia with sedation; she was awake but comfortable, following simple commands to ensure safety. The biopsy confirmed a low-grade glioma. While the diagnosis was serious, having a clear path forward brought immense relief. Post-procedure, she had a mild headache and spent one night in the hospital for observation. Emotionally, she transitioned from a state of paralyzing fear and uncertainty to one of empowered clarity. Knowing the exact enemy allowed her to plan treatment with her family and team, replacing dread with a determined focus.
Neurosurgeons for Stereotactic Biopsy
Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform stereotactic biopsy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 22 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada