HIV-related primary cerebral lymphoma: the role of stereotactic biopsy

Primary cerebral lymphoma (PLC) is a common cause of cerebral mass lesion in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Its clinical features and radiological appearance are non-specific in this group of patients who are often quite debilitated at the time of presentation. We present a retrospective series of 9 cases of AIDS related PCL proven by stereotactic biopsy. There were no deaths from the biopsy and only one case in which there was worsening of the preoperative neurological condition. Although the overall outlook for these patients was poor (mean time to death 18 weeks), all but one showed some clinical response to palliative treatment with radiotherapy and steroids. In this context, we suggest that stereotactic biopsy as a means to positively establish the diagnosis prior to treatment is a safe technique to use in this group of often debilitated patients. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.