Abstract

The Pelorus Stereotactic Surgical System is a relatively new, commercially available device that can be used to perform computed tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic brain biopsy. It has been promoted as being a relatively simple and inexpensive system that is more rapid, less cumbersome, and generally easier to use than conventional stereotactic frames. In this paper, we describe the Pelorus System, and report on its diagnostic accuracy and associated morbidity, based on our experience with 49 consecutive patients in two institutions. Patients ranging from 7 months to 85 years of age had CT-guided stereotactic biopsy, primarily for diagnosis of lesions deep within the cerebral hemispheres. Two transfrontal biopsies of the lateral pons were also done. Satisfactory tissue for histologic diagnosis was obtained in 42 of 49 patients (86%). In this series, there were two deaths in the immediate postoperative period, unrelated to the use of the Pelorus System. One patient suffered a transient neurologic deficit, which resolved over a period of 3 days. Although the Pelorus System has some limitations, we found it easy to use, well-tolerated by patients, and useful for performing CT-guided stereotactic biopsy.