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01-05-2012 | Techniques in Clinical Science

Brain biopsy in benign neurological disease

Authors: C. E. Gilkes, S. Love, R. J. Hardie, R. J. Edwards, N. J. Scolding, C. M. Rice

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

Brain biopsy is well established in clinical practice when there is suspicion of CNS malignancy. However, there is little consensus regarding the indications for brain biopsy in non-malignant neurological disease. This is due in no small part to limitations in the available literature pertaining to diagnostic brain biopsies. The published evidence largely comprises small, retrospective, single-centre analyses performed over long time periods, including non-homogeneous patient groups with considerable variation in reported outcomes. Here we present pragmatic guidance for those clinicians considering diagnostic brain biopsy in a patient with non-neoplastic neurological disease and highlight practice points with the aim of maximising the probability of gaining clinically useful information from the procedure.

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Title: Brain biopsy in benign neurological disease
Authors: C. E. Gilkes
S. Love
R. J. Hardie
R. J. Edwards
N. J. Scolding
C. M. Rice
Publication date: 01-05-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-012-6455-0

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