Stereotactic biopsies and computer tomography in gliomas.

This study was carried out in order to obtain data on the relation between tumour structures seen in computer tomograms and the corresponding histopathology and cytology. Nine consecutive patients were studied, and stereotactic biopsies were obtained from sites determined on contrast enhanced computer tomograms. Biopsies were obtained from tumour areas with high and low contrast uptake and from the low attenuating areas surrounding the tumours. The results indicated a close correlation between the microscopical morphology of gliomas and the pattern of the computer tomogram. Biopsy samples from low-uptake central areas contained tumour tissues, necrotic tissue, and in one case a cyst. Biopsies from high-uptake areas typically contained tumour tissue, whereas biopsies from low-uptake surrounding areas contained oedematous non-tumour tissue. For tumour diagnosis biopsies should be obtained from both low and high attenuating tumour areas.