Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Viable Tool in an Anesthesiologist’s Armamentarium for Pediatric Head and Neck Surgeries

Abstract

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive monitor used regularly in pediatric cardiac surgeries to monitor regional cerebral oxygenation (rScO2). A significant intraoperative cerebral desaturation (>20% from baseline) has been reported with poor neurological outcomes. We describe a case of a six-year-old child with carotid sheath neuroblastoma, located at the carotid bifurcation posted for tumor excision. Intraoperative NIRS monitoring revealed only a transient and insignificant (<10%) fall in the rScO2 during the tumor manipulation, ensuring uninterrupted cerebral circulation. The pediatric population is vulnerable to various physiological changes during anesthesia and surgery, and conserving cerebral function is one of the major goals. Though NIRS has been researched in various surgical specialties, future emphasis must be laid on its use in pediatric head and neck surgeries as a surrogate for cerebral perfusion.