Effiectiveness and safety of MRI based 'frameless' stereotactic biopsy of brain tumours

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic biopsy is a relatively commonly used tool for brain tumour diagnostics. A frame-based stereotactic biopsy is the standard, but the so-called 'frameless' biopsy, which is done by using a special neuronavigation system, seems to be a safe and convenient alternative. The authors have assessed the safety and effectiveness of an MRI based 'frameless' stereotactic biopsy of brain tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 42 cases of patients, who underwent 'frameless' brain tumour biopsies in 2011–2013, were been retrospectively analysed. The biopsies were done by using BrainLab™ neuronavigation with VarioGuide and biopsy side-cut needles. The operation plan was based on a preoperative MRI head. In every case, at least 3 specimens various trajectories were taken. Pathological analysis was performed in the same place in every case. RESULTS: There were 85.7% cases with an exact histopathological result. 14.3% cases obtained a pathological result, but without exact diagnosis. One patient (2.4%) with astrocytoma WHO III died as a result of a perioperative intraventricular hemorrhage. Other clinically significant perioperative complications occurred in 2 cases (4.8%). The histopathological diagnostics revealed: 12 cases of GBM (28.6%), 8 cases of astrocytoma WHO III (19%), 10 cases of astrocytoma WHO II (23.8%), 1 case of metastasis (2.4%), 1 case of lymphoma (2.4%) as well as 2 other lesions (4.8%). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the patients’ pre- and postoperative state. CONCLUSIONS: The 'frameless' biopsy is an effective and relatively safe way of diagnosing brain tumours. This type of biopsy takes less time to perform. It seems that it can be recommended as a convenient alternative to frame-based biopsy

Effiectiveness and safety of MRI based 'frameless' stereotactic biopsy of brain tumours

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic biopsy is a relatively commonly used tool for brain tumour diagnostics. A frame-based stereotactic biopsy is the standard, but the so-called 'frameless' biopsy, which is done by using a special neuronavigation system, seems to be a safe and convenient alternative. The authors have assessed the safety and effectiveness of an MRI based 'frameless' stereotactic biopsy of brain tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 42 cases of patients, who underwent 'frameless' brain tumour biopsies in 2011–2013, were been retrospectively analysed. The biopsies were done by using BrainLab™ neuronavigation with VarioGuide and biopsy side-cut needles. The operation plan was based on a preoperative MRI head. In every case, at least 3 specimens various trajectories were taken. Pathological analysis was performed in the same place in every case. RESULTS: There were 85.7% cases with an exact histopathological result. 14.3% cases obtained a pathological result, but without exact diagnosis. One patient (2.4%) with astrocytoma WHO III died as a result of a perioperative intraventricular hemorrhage. Other clinically significant perioperative complications occurred in 2 cases (4.8%). The histopathological diagnostics revealed: 12 cases of GBM (28.6%), 8 cases of astrocytoma WHO III (19%), 10 cases of astrocytoma WHO II (23.8%), 1 case of metastasis (2.4%), 1 case of lymphoma (2.4%) as well as 2 other lesions (4.8%). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the patients’ pre- and postoperative state. CONCLUSIONS: The 'frameless' biopsy is an effective and relatively safe way of diagnosing brain tumours. This type of biopsy takes less time to perform. It seems that it can be recommended as a convenient alternative to frame-based biopsy

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Polish version of the core outcome measures index for low back pain

PURPOSE: The Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) is a short, multidimensional outcome scale validated for the use by patients with spinal disorders. It is a recommended instrument in the Spine Society of Europe Spine Tango Registry. The purpose of this study was to produce a cross-culturally adapted and validated Polish COMI. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was carried out using the established guidelines. One-hundred and sixty-nine patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled, 89 took part in the reproducibility part of the study. Data quality, construct validity and reproducibility were assessed. RESULTS: The quality of data was very good with very few missing answers and modest floor effect. Reliability expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.90 (95 % CI 0.85–0.93) for the overall COMI score and for most of the individual core items. The minimum detectable change (MDC(95%)) was 1.79. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of COMI showed a favorable reproducibility similar to that of previously tested language versions. The COMI scores correlated sufficiently with existing measures. This version of the COMI is a valuable instrument for the use by Polish-speaking patients with spinal disorders. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00586-012-2607-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Polish version of the Core Outcome Measures Index for low back pain

PURPOSE: The Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) is a short, multidimensional outcome scale validated for the use by patients with spinal disorders. It is a recommended instrument in the Spine Society of Europe Spine Tango Registry. The purpose of this study was to produce a cross-culturally adapted and validated Polish COMI. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was carried out using the established guidelines. One-hundred and sixty-nine patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled, 89 took part in the reproducibility part of the study. Data quality, construct validity and reproducibility were assessed. RESULTS: The quality of data was very good with very few missing answers and modest floor effect. Reliability expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.90 (95 % CI 0.85–0.93) for the overall COMI score and for most of the individual core items. The minimum detectable change (MDC(95%)) was 1.79. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of COMI showed a favorable reproducibility similar to that of previously tested language versions. The COMI scores correlated sufficiently with existing measures. This version of the COMI is a valuable instrument for the use by Polish-speaking patients with spinal disorders. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00586-012-2607-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users