Brain biopsy in benign neurological disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Diagnostic Pathology

Background:

• Brain biopsy is a standard procedure for diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) malignancies.
• Indications for brain biopsy in non-malignant neurological diseases lack clear consensus.
• Existing literature on diagnostic brain biopsies is limited by small, retrospective, and heterogeneous studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide pragmatic guidance for clinicians considering diagnostic brain biopsy in non-neoplastic neurological disease.
• To highlight practice points for maximizing the diagnostic utility of brain biopsies in non-malignant conditions.
• To address the need for clearer indications in the context of limited evidence.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on diagnostic brain biopsies in non-malignant neurological conditions.
• Analysis of limitations in current evidence, including study size, retrospective design, and patient heterogeneity.
• Development of evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.

Main Results:

• Limited consensus exists on the indications for brain biopsy in non-malignant neurological disease.
• Existing studies are often small, retrospective, and lack homogeneous patient groups.
• Guidance is needed to optimize the diagnostic value of brain biopsies in non-neoplastic cases.

Conclusions:

• Pragmatic guidance is presented for clinicians undertaking diagnostic brain biopsies for non-neoplastic neurological diseases.
• Key practice points are highlighted to enhance the probability of obtaining clinically useful information.
• Further research and standardized approaches are needed to improve the role of brain biopsy in diagnosing non-malignant neurological disorders.