No abstract

In the last few years much has been published to validate new technology in brain mapping for clinical purposes, but there have been few clinical results. In this report we describe our five-year experience in the surgical management of malignant gliomas around motor areas with an evaluation of the impact of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) plus navigator and intraoperative neurophysiology (IN). End-points were extent of removal, morbidity, and survival. Variables describing patient and tumor characteristics and treatment modalities were statistically weighted in relation to treatment outcome. Tumor depth (P = 0.01), midline shift ≥1 cm. (P = 0.05), and insular location (P = 0.001) negatively affected extent of removal, whereas IN (P < 0.001) and fMRI plus navigator (P = 0.02) contributed to increasing the rate of total removal (73%, 71% vs. 40%). Postoperative motor impairment was mild and transient in a minority of cases (20%). General complications, as defined by the Glioma Outcome Project, occurred in 23% of cases. IN was the only factor associated with acute postoperative motor deterioration (P < 0.001). IN and age >65 years (P = 0.01) were associated with the occurrence of complications. Overall survival was significantly higher in patients operated with IN or fMRI plus navigator (P < 0.01). Comparing different surgical strategies used in the same period, we observed that supportive technologies in glioma surgery have their primary impact on the quality of resection and survival. IN led to transient motor impairment and some additional complications which did not affect functional outcome.

Mapping techniques allow identifying and sparing functional neural tissue and vice versa to cut nonfunctional structures that may contribute to cord tethering. Monitoring techniques, MEP and BCR in particular, improve the reliability of intraoperative neurophysiology, though these may require a higher degree of neuromonitoring expertise. IOM minimizes neurological morbidity in tethered cord surgery.

Intra-operative neurophysiology is the gold standard to localise and preserve brain functions during surgery and is increasingly used in paediatric neurosurgery. Yet, the developing nervous system has peculiar characteristics in terms of anatomical and physiological maturation, and some technical aspects need to be tailored for its use in children, especially in infants. This paper will review the most recent advances in the field of intra-operative neurophysiology (ION) techniques during brain surgery, focussing on those aspects that are relevant to the paediatric neurosurgery practice.

Neurosurgical procedure for RMC should only be rendered with intraoperative neurophysiological mapping, as the anatomical judgment would not suffice to allow a safe cutting of these "normal-looking" neural structures.