The role of biopsy in the management of patients with presumed diffuse low grade glioma: A systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline.

QUESTION

What is the optimal role of biopsy in the initial management of presumptive low-grade glioma in adults?

TARGET POPULATION

Adult patients with imaging suggestive of a low-grade glioma.

LEVEL III

Stereotactic biopsy is recommended when definitive surgical resection is limited by lesions that are deep-seated, not resectable, and/or located within eloquent cortex, or in patients unable to undergo craniotomy due to medical co-morbidities to obtain the critical tissue diagnosis needed for targeted treatment planning for patients with low-grade gliomas.

QUESTION

What is the best technique for brain biopsy?

TARGET POPULATION

Adult patients with imaging suggestive of a low-grade glioma.

LEVEL III

Frameless and frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy for low-grade gliomas are recommended based on clinical circumstances as they provide similar diagnostic yield, diagnostic accuracy, morbidity, and mortality. It is recommended the surgeon consider advanced imaging techniques (e.g., perfusion, spectroscopy, metabolic studies) to target specific regions of interest to potentially improve diagnostic accuracy.