Preparation
In the preparation for a brain biopsy, the indication initially plays an important role. Due to some severe complications, the benefits of the biopsy should be carefully weighed. If, however, preliminary examinations reveal the suspicion of a malignant disease, the biopsy must be performed for meaningful therapy planning.
Before the biopsy is performed, precise three-dimensional imaging of the brain (usually an MRI of the brain) is also necessary, as this is the only way to determine the exact location of the sample collection. As a rule, computer simulations are then used to determine the perfect biopsy locations. The biopsy itself is performed under anaesthesia (often also under general anaesthesia), so that preparation by the anaesthetists (anaesthetists) is also necessary.
Procedure
The procedure for brain biopsy differs slightly depending on where and how many biopsies are to be taken. First of all, it is important to plan the exact cells using three-dimensional images and computer animations. Then it is decided whether the brain biopsy will be taken under general anesthesia.
Usually the biopsy is performed using very thin instruments. These are clamped onto a ring that can be placed on the head. This ensures that the location of the brain biopsy, which has been determined by the computer beforehand, is guaranteed.
Before the actual biopsy, small holes must be drilled in the skull bone through which the instruments can be inserted into the skull. The biopsy instruments are then brought to the desired location(s) with pinpoint accuracy. There one or more biopsies are taken.
The tissue samples are then usually preserved immediately and sent to a pathology department, where the biopsies can be examined under a microscope for abnormalities. The instruments are removed from the skull and the holes are then closed again. If the procedure has been performed under general anesthesia, the recovery phase follows, during which organ functions (breathing, heartbeat, etc) are still monitored.
How painful is it afterwards?
Since brain biopsy can usually be performed through small holes in the skull, the procedure is not particularly painful. The brain itself does not have a distinct system of pain-conducting nerve fibers, so no pain stimuli can be felt there.Pain, on the other hand, can be felt on the meninges (these surround the brain within the skull) as well as on the skull bone and the scalp. Due to the additional local anesthesia of the skin and the periosteum of the skull, pain usually does not appear until a few hours after the procedure. As a rule, they can be easily treated with mild painkillers such as ibuprofen and subside after a few days.
