Abstract

ObjectiveThe safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been previously evaluated in healthy volunteers and clinical adult populations. We sought to fill the gap in safety of TMS functional mapping in a clinical, predominately pediatric cohort. MethodsIn a retrospective chart review, we assessed TMS motor and language mapping studies in persons with epilepsy or brain tumor for adverse events and safety of TMS, and in patients with cranial metal. ResultsOut of 500 TMS sessions attempted in 429 individual patients (51% males, 82% ≤ 18 y), seizures occurred in 29 sessions (5.8%) during or after TMS with semiology consistent with their typical presentation and 53 patients (10.6%) experienced pain during stimulation. TMS was completed safely in 276 patients with cranial metal. ConclusionsMost TMS-related adverse events were benign and transient; the most serious safety events were seizures that could not be conclusively attributed to TMS. However, useful mapping results were obtained in almost all patients. Presence of cranial metal did not adversely affect TMS mapping. We show that TMS functional mapping is safe in a largely pediatric clinical cohort. SignificanceThis study demonstrates the safety of TMS functional mapping in patients with refractory epilepsy, brain tumor or cranial metal and fills a gap in knowledge for TMS safety in pediatric clinical population.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.