Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
A High-Throughput Image-Guided Stereotactic Neuronavigation and Focused Ultrasound System for Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Rodents
Published on: July 16, 2020
Safety and accuracy of frameless electromagnetic-navigated (AXIEMTM)-guided brain lesion biopsies: a large
Anastasios Giamouriadis1, Duranka Perera2, Afshan Safdar3
1Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. agiamouriadis@nhs.net.
Background:
Brain biopsies are required to establish a definitive histological diagnosis for brain lesions that have been identified on imaging in order to guide further treatment for patients.
Objective:
Various navigation systems are in use but little up to date evidence is available regarding the safety and accuracy of a frameless, electromagnetic technique to target brain lesions.
Methods:
Data was collected retrospectively on all patients that had brain biopsies at our institution from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2017. Operation notes, neuropathology reports, and clinical notes on electronic patient record were used to determine whether biopsy of adequate identifiable abnormal tissue was achieved, whether a definitive diagnosis was established, any adverse events occurred, and if a repeat biopsy was carried out.
Results:
Three hundred seventy-one AxiEM (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA)-guided brain tumor biopsies were performed in this 8-year period. Three hundred forty-nine (94.07%) procedures provided definitive tissue diagnosis, 22 (5.93%) were non diagnostic; in 6 cases (1.62%), repeat biopsy was performed and adverse events which caused clinical compromise were observed in 4 patients (1.08%).
Conclusions:
The AxiEM is a fast, effective, and safe frameless and pinless neuronavigational system. It offers a high degree of accuracy required for the establishment of a definitive diagnosis, permitting optimal further treatment, and thus improving patient outcomes.
