Intraoperative Ultrasound in Glioma Tumors

Abstract

Introduction: Glioma tumor is the most common primary brain tumor and extent of resection of this tumor plays a significant role in the survival rate of the patients. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) has become a convenient technique in brain tumor surgery due to its non-invasiveness, affordability, and real-time imaging capabilities, making it appealing to neurosurgeons, and assists neurosurgeons in identifying the tumor's location and adjacent structures during surgery. Methods: This study was done prospectively, in Rasul Akram and Shahada-ye-Haftam Tir hospitals, Tehran, Iran, and evaluated IOUS's use in 20 patients with brain glioma between 2019 and 2022. Simple random sampling was used to select patients. The resection was performed using IOUS, and the extent of resection was assessed through imaging. We used SonoSite convex ultrasound probe with bandwidth of 10-3 MHz and scan depth of 3 to 18 cm. Results: The study found that with ultrasound guidance, the average mass resection rate was 89.3%. The use of ultrasound during surgery improved the resection rate compared to previous studies. Motor complications observed in 15% of patients after surgery included paralysis and verbal deficits, while the rate of meningitis was low. The average length of hospitalization for patients was 10 days, and the average intraoperative bleeding was 344 cubic centimeters. Conclusion: Ultrasound can be a valuable tool in resection of brain glioma as it provides real-time imaging and assists in tumor resection, and detect adjacent structures. However, it should be used in conjunction with other monitoring modalities. Further studies are necessary to explore the full potential and limitations of IOUS in neurosurgery. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2024; 42: 387-392