Tests and scans
Taking a small sample of tissue from a brain tumour is also called a biopsy.
You may also have a neuroendoscopy to:
remove fluid from the fluid filled spaces of the brain (ventricles)
remove all or part of the brain tumour
You usually have a neuroendoscopy under general anaesthetic. This means that you will be asleep and won’t feel anything.
We have information about having a neuroendoscopy to remove fluid from the brain
You might have a neuroendoscopy to take samples of tissue from the fluid filled spaces of the brain (ventricles). The ventricles are spaces inside the brain filled with a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF supports and protects the brain and the spinal cord.
You may also have it to take a sample of tissue from the pineal region. The pineal region is an area in the middle of the brain, just behind the brain stem.
Find out more about the different parts of the brain
You usually have a pre operative assessment appointment about a week or two before your neuroendoscopy. This is to make sure you are well enough to have the anaesthetic and biopsy.
At your appointment, you will meet members of the healthcare team. You will have some tests, for example, blood tests and an . These tests are similar across hospitals, but what you have exactly may vary slightly.
You will usually meet a member of your surgical team. They will explain what will happen and how you might feel afterwards. They will also talk to you about the risks and benefits of the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have.
Read more about having a pre operative assessment
You usually have a letter with information about what you need to do before your biopsy. If you have any questions, you can contact your nurse specialist. Or call the number in your letter to speak to a member of the team.
You might stay in hospital the night before your procedure. Or you might go in on the morning of your procedure.
Take your medicines as normal unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you take medicines to thin your blood, you might need to stop these before your neuroendoscopy. Your doctor will let you know when to stop.
Your nurse might give you stockings to wear to lower the risk of blood clots. These are tight stockings that squeeze your feet and legs. They help the blood to circulate better when you aren't moving around as usual.
Make sure you have a shower or a bath the night before your operation. Your nurse might give you a special antiseptic cleaning soap to use.
You usually have this type of biopsy under a general anaesthetic, so you can’t eat and drink for a few hours beforehand. Your nurse at the pre assessment appointment will tell you exactly when to stop eating and drinking. You can call the number on your appointment letter to speak to someone if you need more information.
Find out more about going into hospital
You have the neuroendoscopy in the operating theatre. Before you go, you put on a hospital gown. Then your nurse takes you to the operating theatre. They put a small tube (cannula) into a vein in the back of your hand. Your anaesthetist gives you the medicine through the cannula.
Your surgeon carefully makes a small hole into the skull. This is called a burr hole. They put the endoscope through the hole and into the fluid filled chambers of the brain. An endoscope is a long tube with a camera and light at the end. It has an eyepiece and is also attached to a monitor. This allows your doctor to see inside the brain.
There are also tiny forceps and scissors at the end of the endoscope. The surgeon uses these to take samples of tissue.
After the biopsy, you go to the recovery room for a few hours.
You might feel a bit drowsy from the anaesthetic when you wake up. You should be able to eat and drink once you are fully awake.
You go from the recovery room to the ward. Your nurse will keep a close eye on you for the first few hours. Your team asks you questions and gives you instructions to follow to check that you are fully awake. They might shine a light in your eyes to check your pupil reaction.
You have medicines to help with any pain you might have. It’s not usually too uncomfortable.
Your doctor will let you know when you can go home. Everyone takes a different amount of time to recover from a neuroendoscopy.
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to take your medicines. Your pharmacist can make you a reminder sheet if it would help. Take painkillers regularly if the doctor prescribes them. Speak to your GP or hospital doctor if you find that they aren’t working. They can do a lot to help, like changing the amount or the type of painkillers.
You must not drive after having a brain biopsy. Your neurosurgeon will let you know how long you must not drive for and when it's safe to start driving again.
A neuroendoscopy is a safe procedure. Your doctors will make sure the benefits of having a neuroendoscopy outweigh these possible risks. You have a phone number to call if you have any problems afterwards.
The possible risks of having a neuroendoscopy include:
You may have some bleeding in your brain during or after the procedure. This is usually a small amount. Your team will check for any signs of bleeding in your brain.
You may have antibiotics if you have signs of infection such as a high temperature (fever).
You might have bruising around the area where they put the cannula in and where they make the burr hole.
You may have drugs called before and after the neuroendoscopy to help with swelling in your brain.
You might have a headache or feel tired afterwards.
You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks.
Waiting for results can make you anxious. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.
You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can contact for information if you need to. It may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel. You may want them to go with you to get the results for support.
We have more information on tests, treatment and support if you have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumour.
Last reviewed: 15 Jun 2026
Next review due: 15 Jun 2029
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