Ultrasound-guided brain biopsy in dogs

Ultrasound-guided brain biopsy of the cingulate gyrus and the head of the caudate nucleus was performed in clinically normal dogs. Dogs survived the surgery, and neurologic deficits were not detected in the 14-day postoperative period. Magnetic resonance imaging detected changes in the brain associated with biopsy in 9 dogs (90%) immediately after surgery and in 6 dogs (60%) 14 days after surgery. Fourteen days after surgery, sonography of the brain, performed through the skin overlying the burr hole, detected changes associated with biopsy in 9 dogs (90%). Histopathologic changes evident in the brain 14 days after surgery consisted of focal malacia and hemorrhage with associated subacute encephalomeningitis. Postmortem examination indicated that the biopsy specimen was accurately obtained from the desired site in 9 dogs (90%). Tissue specimens suitable for histologic examination were obtained from 10 dogs (100%). Accuracy and low morbidity of ultrasound-guided biopsy indicate that this may be a useful technique for diagnosis of focal brain disease in dogs.