Neurophysiological monitoring options in brain tumour resections. Consensus statement from the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery's (SENEC) Neuro-oncology Working Group and the Spanish Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (SENFC)

Abstract

Brain tumours located in or in proximity to eloquent areas are a significant neurosurgical challenge. Performing this kind of surgery with neurophysiological monitoring to improve resections with reduced permanent focal neurological deficit has become widely accepted in the literature. However, how to conduct this monitoring, the exact definition of an eloquent area and whether to perform this surgery with the patient awake or asleep are still subject to rigorous scientific debate.Members of the Neuro-oncology Working Group (GTNO) of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery (SENEC) and members of the Spanish Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (SENFC) have published a consensus statement to explain the different neurophysiological monitoring options currently available in awake and asleep patients to obtain better surgical resection without neurological deficits. An exhaustive review of the literature has also been conducted.