Eloquent Brain Research Articles

Continuous Dynamic Mapping to Identify the Corticospinal Tract in Motor Eloquent Brain Tumors: An Update.

We recently developed a new subcortical mapping technique based on the concept of stimulating the tissue at the site of and synchronously with resection. Our hypothesis was that instead of performing resection and mapping sequentially, a synchronized resection and mapping could potentially improve deficit rates. We report our 5-year series of patients who prospectively underwent tumor surgery adjacent to the corticospinal tract (CST) (defined as < 1 cm using diffusion tension imaging and fiber tracking) with simultaneous subcortical short train cathodal monopolar mapping, equipped with a new acoustic motor evoked potential (MEP) alarm. Continuous (temporal coverage) and dynamic (spatial coverage) mapping was realized technically by integrating the mapping probe at the tip of a new suction device. Motor function was assessed using the Medical Research Council scale (from M1 to M5) 1 day after surgery, at discharge, and at 3 months. Technically, the method was successful in all 182 cases. The lowest individual motor thresholds reached during resection were > 10 mA, n = 56; 6-10 mA, n = 31; 4-5 mA, n = 37; and 1-3 mA, n = 58. At 3 months, six patients (3%) had a persisting postoperative motor deficit that was caused by direct mechanical injury in three of these patients (1.7%). Continuous dynamic mapping was found to be a feasible and ergonomic technique for localizing the exact site of the CST and distance to the motor fibers. This new technique may improve the safety of motor eloquent tumor surgery.

Modeling motor task activation from resting-state fMRI using machine learning in individual subjects.

Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) has provided important insights into brain physiology. It has become an increasingly popular method for presurgical mapping, as an alternative to task-based functional MRI wherein the subject performs a task while being scanned. However, there is no commonly acknowledged gold standard approach for detecting eloquent brain areas using rs-fMRI data in clinical settings. In this study, a general linear model-based machine learning (GLM-ML) approach was tested to predict individual motor task activation based on rs-fMRI data. Its accuracy was then compared to a conventional independent component analysis (ICA) approach. 47 healthy subjects were scanned using resting state, active and passive motor task fMRI experiments using a clinically applicable low-resolution fMRI protocol. The model was trained to associate rs-fMRI network maps with that of hand movement task fMRI, then used to predict task activation maps for unseen subjects solely based on their rs-fMRI data. Our results showed that the GLM-ML approach can accurately predict individual differences in task activation using rs-fMRI data and outperform conventional ICA to detect task activation in the primary sensorimotor region. Furthermore, the predicted activation maps using the GLM -ML model matched well with the activation of passive hand movement fMRI on an individual basis. These results suggest that GLM-ML approach can robustly predict individual differences of task activation based on conventional low-resolution rs-fMRI data and has important implications for future clinical applications.

Resting-state fMRI in preoperative non-invasive mapping in patients with left hemisphere glioma

Maximum resection and preservation of neurological function are main principles in surgery of brain tumors, especially glial neoplasms with diffuse growth. Therefore, exact localizing of eloquent brain areas is an important component in surgical planning ensuring optimal resection with minimal postoperative neurological deficit. Functional MRI is used to localize eloquent brain areas adjacent to the tumor. This paper is an initial stage in analysis of resting-state fMRI in assessment of functional changes of neuronal activity caused by brain gliomas of different localization. We report two patients with glial tumors localized within the precentral gyrus of the left hemisphere and near speech area. Considering data of task-based and resting-state fMRI, as well as direct cortical stimulation, we propose a methodology for assessing the overlap of activations obtained by these methods.

Surgical resection of glioma involving eloquent brain areas: Tumor boundary, functional boundary, and plasticity consideration

Glioma is the most refractory intracranial tumor, and its diffuse infiltrative growth characteristics make total resection impossible in a biological sense, especially when tumors invade eloquent brain areas. Thus, identifying the equilibrium between tumor resection and functional preservation remains a challenge in glioma surgery. The accurate identification of tumor boundaries, precise mapping of functional boundaries, and an in-depth understanding of functional plasticity are key factors for accomplishing this challenge. This article reviews these three key points and highlights potential perspectives for the development of glioma surgery.

Beyond eloquence and onto centrality: a new paradigm in planning supratentorial neurosurgery.

Minimizing post-operational neurological deficits as a result of brain surgery has been one of the most pertinent endeavours of neurosurgical research. Studies have utilised fMRIs, EEGs and MEGs in order to delineate and establish eloquent areas, however, these methods have not been utilized by the wider neurosurgical community due to a lack of clinical endpoints. We sought to ascertain if there is a correlation between graph theory metrics and the neurosurgical notion of eloquent brain regions. We also wanted to establish which graph theory based nodal centrality measure performs the best in predicting eloquent areas. We obtained diffusion neuroimaging data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) and applied a parcellation scheme to it. This enabled us to construct a weighted adjacency matrix which we then analysed. Our analysis looked at the correlation between PageRank centrality and eloquent areas. We then compared PageRank centrality to eigenvector centrality and degree centrality to see what the best measure of empirical neurosurgical eloquence was. Areas that are considered neurosurgically eloquent tended to be predicted by high PageRank centrality. By using summary scores for the three nodal centrality measures we found that PageRank centrality best correlated to empirical neurosurgical eloquence. The notion of eloquent areas is important to neurosurgery and graph theory provides a mathematical framework to predict these areas. PageRank centrality is able to consistently find areas that we consider eloquent. It is able to do so better than eigenvector and degree central measures.

Appliance of Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases.

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) provides noninvasive visualization of eloquent brain areas. The nTMS is usually applied in presurgical planning to minimize the risk of surgery-related neurological deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of nTMS data for GammaKnife treatment planning for patients suffering from brain metastases. Motor cortex mapping with nTMS was performed in eight patients with brain metastases within or adjacent to the precentral gyrus. The nTMS data set was imported into the planning software and fused with anatomical MRI. Then contouring of the target and critical structures was performed. Treatment plans with and without visualization of the functional structures by nTMS were analyzed and compared by neurosurgeon and medical physicist. The primary motor cortex was successfully delineated even in all cases despite significant peritumoral edema. Beam shaping and combined isocenters were used for conformal dose distribution and steeper dose fall-off near the identified eloquent zone. Compared with plans without nTMS data, treatment plans with integration of cortical nTMS mapping data showed a 2% to 78% (mean, 35.2% ± 22.7%) lower 12-Gy volume within the motor cortex without reduction of the dose applied to the tumor. The presented approach allows the easy and reliable integration of neurophysiological mapping data into GammaKnife treatment plans by the standard GammaPlan software. Diminishing the dose to critical structures might help to minimize side effects and therefore improve quality of life for brain metastasis patients.

T2 Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Resection for Glioblastoma Involving Eloquent Brain Areas Facilitated Through Awake Craniotomy and Clinical Outcome

Despite evidence that a greater extent of resection (EOR) improves survival, the role of extended resection based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) in the prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the role of additional resection of FLAIR-detected abnormalities and its influence on clinical outcomes of patients with GBM. Forty-six patients with newly diagnosed GBM involving eloquent brain areas were included. Surgeries were performed using awake craniotomy (AC) or AC combined with sodium fluorescein (SF) guidance. Following total removal of the contrast-enhancing tumor area, the EOR of FLAIR abnormalities was dichotomized to identify the best separation threshold for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and 30-day postoperative neurologic function of patients with GBM. The threshold for removal of FLAIR abnormalities affecting survival was determined to be 25%. The median OS and PFS were shorter in the group with FLAIR resection <25% compared with the group with FLAIR resection ≥25% (12 months vs. 26 months; P= 0.001 and 6months vs. 15 months; P= 0.016, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified tumor location within or near the eloquent brain areas and the 25%threshold for FLAIR EOR as independent factors affecting OS and PFS. Identifying a feasible threshold for the resection of FLAIR abnormalities is valuable in improving the survival of patients with GBM. Extended resection of GBM involving eloquent brain areas was safe when using a combination of AC and SF-guided surgery.

Neurophysiology-Driven Parameter Selection in nTMS-Based DTI Tractography: A Multidimensional Mathematical Model.

Object: There is an increasing interest in preoperative diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tracking (DTI-FT) to preserve function during surgeries in motor eloquent brain regions. However, DTI tractography is challenged by inherent presumptions during particular tracking steps [e.g., deterministic vs. probabilistic DTI, fractional anisotropy (FA) and fiber length (FL) thresholding] and the missing “ground truth” information. In the present study, we intended to establish an objective, neurophysiology-driven approach for parameter selection during DTI-FT of the corticospinal tract integrating both imaging and neurophysiological information.Methods: In ten patients with lesions in eloquent motor areas, preoperative navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) was performed, followed by individual deterministic DTI-FT from a grid of cortical seed points. We investigated over 300 combinations of FA and FL thresholds and applied subsequently a multidimensional mathematical modeling of this empirical data. Optimal DTI parameters were determined by the relationship between DTI-FT (i.e., number of fibers, NoF) and nTMS (i.e., amplitudes of motor-evoked potentials) results. Finally, neurophysiological DTI parameters and the resulting tractography were compared to the current standard approaches of deterministic DTI fiber tracking with a 75% and 50% FA and a FL threshold of 110 mm as well as with intraoperative direct cortical and subcortical stimulation.Results: There was a good goodness-of-fit for the mathematical model (r2 = 0.68 ± 0 13; range: 0.59–0.97; n = 8) except of two cases. Neurophysiology-driven parameter selection showed a high correlation between DTI-FT and nTMS results (r = 0.73 ± 0.16; range: 0.38–0.93). In comparison to the standard approach, the mathematically calculated thresholds resulted in a higher NoF in 75% of patients. In 50% of patients this approach helped to clarify the exact tract location or to detect additional functional tracts, which were not identified by the standard approach. This was confirmed by direct cortical or subcortical stimulation.Conclusion: The present study evaluates a novel user-independent method to extract objective DTI-FT parameters that were completely based on neurophysiological data. The findings suggest that this method may improve the specificity and sensitivity of DTI-FT and thereby overcome the disadvantages of current approaches.

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation of the supplementary motor cortex disrupts fine motor skills in healthy adults

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) over the supplementary motor area (SMA) may impact fine motor skills. This study evaluates different nTMS parameters in their capacity to affect fine motor performance on the way to develop an SMA mapping protocol. Twenty healthy volunteers performed a variety of fine motor tests during baseline and nTMS to the SMA using 5 Hz, 10 Hz, and theta-burst stimulation (TBS). Effects on performance were measured by test completion times (TCTs), standard deviation of inter-tap interval (SDIT), and visible coordination problems (VCPs). The predominant stimulation effect was slowing of TCTs, i.e. a slowdown of test performances during stimulation. Furthermore, participants exhibited VCPs like accidental use of contralateral limbs or inability to coordinate movements. More instances of significant differences between baseline and stimulation occurred during stimulation of the right hemisphere compared to left-hemispheric stimulation. In conclusion, nTMS to the SMA could enable new approaches in neuroscience and enable structured mapping approaches. Specifically, this study supports interhemispheric differences in motor control as right-hemispheric stimulation resulted in clearer impairments. The application of our nTMS-based setup to assess the function of the SMA should be applied in patients with changed anatomo-functional representations as the next step, e.g. among patients with eloquent brain tumors.

NCOG-11. NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING AWAKE CRANIOTOMY FOR LOW GRADE GLIOMA

Abstract BACKGROUND Awake craniotomy is an established treatment for tumours in eloquent brain regions. It aims to achieve maximal resection without significant neurological and functional morbidity. There is an emerging evidence base about the neuropsychological outcomes following awake craniotomy for low grade gliomas (LGGs) with inconsistent findings potentially reflective of methodological confounders such as the inclusion of mixed tumour types and the use of varied neurocognitive measures and timescales for repeat testing. We describe detailed neuropsychological outcomes for a cohort of patients following awake craniotomy for LGGs. METHOD Data were collected from patients undergoing first-time awake resection of presumed LGGs at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, UK between 2010 and 2018. Patients were included if they consented to and completed the full battery of pre- and postoperative neuropsychological testing. Neuropsychometric testing involved assessment of general intellectual functioning, language, memory, executive functioning, perception, processing speed and mood. Data were analysed using paired-samples t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction for multiple statistical comparisons. RESULTS Twenty-two patients undergoing awake craniotomy for presumed supratentorial LGG (13 left hemisphere, 9 right hemisphere; mean age 35 years) met the above inclusion criteria. Tumour location was heterogenous (11 insular, 9 frontal, 1 temporal, 1 parietal). Histopathology confirmed WHO Grade II diffuse astrocytoma (n=11), WHO Grade II oligodendroglioma (n=10) and WHO Grade III anaplastic oligodendroglioma (n=1). No statistical differences in neurocognitive test scores were found pre- and post-neurosurgery (mean follow-up was 61 weeks). Other outcomes including extent of resection and reliable change statistics for neurocognitive tests and measures of mood were also analysed. CONCLUSION No significant change in neurocognitive functioning was found in patients following recovery from awake craniotomy for LGG. Our findings suggest that awake craniotomy is a safe treatment for LGG and that neuropsychological input is an important part of the treatment pathway for patients with LGG.

Evaluation of Neuronavigation in Glioma Surgery

Background: Glioma is one of the most common intracranial tumors, the treatment for which is surgical resection. Cerebral gliomas in eloquent brain areas are closely associated with important structures. The deep location of such gliomas renders complete resection difficult overlaying structures can be injured, causing hemiplegia, aphasia, coma, and other severe complications. The degree of resection directly influences the prognosis of patients. The application of neuronavigation enables the accurate localization of lesions during surgery, significantly improving microneurosurgery. The accuracy of navigation, however, has typically been compromised by several factors, including operation error, shifting of registration system, and intraoperative brain tissue deformation (brain shift). Aim of Study: The aim of the study is to evaluate and demonstrate the efficacy of neuronavigation in the management of brain gliomas. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study included 35 patients with brain glioma were operated for excision or biopsy taken. Results: Localization of burr hole and craniotomy flap was excellent in 33 patients (94.2%) and fault in 2 cases (5.7%), 29 patients (82.8%) had near total excision of the lesions, and 6 patients (17.1%) had burr hole biopsy, intra operative course was smooth in 33 patients (94.2%) with no intra operative complications, 2 cases (5.7%) developed intra operative bleeding that was due to liver problems. Reading the post operative imaging shows that 27 patients (77.1%) had mild to moderate post operative edema around the site of the lesion, the other eight cases were free of hemorrhage, infarction or edema. Conclusion: We found that neuronavigation is very helpful in our cases in localization of the lesions, decreasing time of surgery, reducing morbidity and mortality and decreasing hospital stay. There are concerns about navigation systems including time consuming, calculation and registration, restriction of space and view inside the operating field, and so on, we didn’t find these issues as obstacles in our work, but we found that there are many advantages that can be helpful in the process of operation.

Surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy caused by gliomas in eloquent areas: experience report.

Drug-resistant epilepsy associated with central nervous system tumors is generally caused by low grade gliomas. This group of tumors is usually found in brain eloquent areas, such as the insular lobe, rolandic cortex and supplementary motor area and, historically, possess a greater risk of postoperative deficits. The aim of this investigation was to present our surgical experience on patients with drug-resistant epilepsy caused by gliomas in eloquent areas. We retrospectively investigated variables that impact seizure control, such as tumor location, extent of resection, invasion into the lenticulostriate arteries in the patient, especially those with insular gliomas. Out of 67 patients with eloquent area brain tumors operated on in our service between 2007 and 2016, 14 patients had symptoms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Volumetric analysis, extent of resection (EOR), type of approach and mapping, among other factors were correlated with the 12-month postoperative seizure outcome. Univariate analysis showed that the factors showing statistical relevance with seizure control were preoperative volume (p = 0.005), EOR (p = 0.028) and postoperative volume (p = 0.030). There was a statistically significant association between the EOR and the Engel score for epilepsy control: an EOR < 70 was associated with Engel II, III, IV and an EOR > 90 was associated with Engel I. Eloquent area gliomas can safely be resected when surgeons use not only microsurgical anatomy concepts but also brain mapping.

Towards a Göttingen minipig model of adult onset growth hormone deficiency: evaluation of stereotactic electrocoagulation method

BackgroundAdult onset growth hormone (GH) deficiency (AGDH) is a potentially underdiagnosed condition, caused by damage to the pituitary gland. AGHD is treated with growth hormone replacement therapy. A large variety of clinical symptoms and changes in the metabolic homeostasis can be observed and quantified. New large animal models are needed for future drug development. New methodIn this study, we evaluate methods for a new large non-primate animal model of GH deficiency in post pubertal Göttingen Minipigs (minipig). Lesions in the pituitary gland were made by stereotaxic monopolar thermo-coagulation guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pituitary function was evaluated using insulin tolerance test (ITT) with measurements of growth hormone secretion induced by hypoglycemia. ResultsLesions were successfully applied to the pituitary gland without any damage to surrounding tissue including the hypothalamus, which was confirmed by post-operative MRI and post mortem histology. Plasma levels of GH during ITT showed no decrease in secreted levels one week after surgery compared to levels obtained before surgery. Comparison with existing methodsCompared to other GH insufficiency models, eloquent brain tissue is spared. Furthermore, alternatively to rodent models, a large animal model would allow the use of human intended equipment to evaluate disease. Using the minipig avoids social, economical and ethical issues, compared with primates. ConclusionThe lesions did not remove all GH production, but proof of concept is demonstrated. In addition, the ITT is presented as a safe and efficient method to diagnose GH deficiency in minipigs.

Patient Reported Experience Measures in navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Abstract Introduction Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nTMS) is a non-invasive adjunct used in surgical planning for lesions in eloquent brain. However, its patient tolerability and effect on their overall healthcare experience is still unknown. To our knowledge, there is no other literature available evaluating patient experience with nTMS. Methods A single-institution prospective cohort study carried out between February 2018 and December 2018 at King’s College Hospital. All patients were supplied with a PREMs-TMS questionnaire to evaluate the different domains of the nTMS experience. Results Feedback was obtained from 50 patients. 26% of patients underwent motor mapping (MM), whilst 74% underwent both motor and language mapping (MLM). The former group reported a better overall experience (p=0.020). The mean exam duration was 103.3±5.1 min (MM 85.8±6.1 min; MLM 106.9±5.9 min). The whole experience of nTMS received positive feedback (94%), particularly with confidence in the staff (95%). Unsurprisingly, the exam domain received a poorer rating (70% as good) with significant anxiety and pain reported in 26% and 24% of patients respectively. None of the studied variables influenced the way patients rated the overall experience of nTMS (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions nTMS is a non-invasive investigative tool, which allows patients to better understand their condition and symptoms related to their lesion. Serial assessment and feedback using a PREM tool, can only improve and enhance this experience. Departmental collaboration may be useful in comparing patient experience with nTMS in different centres.

MRI Atlas of IDH Wild-Type Supratentorial Glioblastoma: Probabilistic Maps of Phenotype, Management, and Outcomes.

Background Tumor location is a main prognostic parameter in patients with glioblastoma. Probabilistic MRI-based brain atlases specifying the probability of tumor location associated with important demographic, clinical, histomolecular, and management data are lacking for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioblastomas. Purpose To correlate glioblastoma location with clinical phenotype, surgical management, and outcomes by using a probabilistic analysis in a three-dimensional (3D) MRI-based atlas. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included all adults surgically treated for newly diagnosed IDH wild-type supratentorial glioblastoma in a tertiary adult surgical neuro-oncology center (2006-2016). Semiautomated tumor segmentation and spatial normalization procedures to build a 3D MRI-based atlas were validated. The authors performed probabilistic analyses by using voxel-based lesion symptom mapping technology. The Liebermeister test was used for binary data, and the generalized linear model was used for continuous data. Results A total of 392 patients (mean age, 61 years ± 13; 233 men) were evaluated. The authors identified the preferential location of glioblastomas according to subventricular zone, age, sex, clinical presentation, revised Radiation Therapy Oncology Group-Recursive Partitioning Analysis class, Karnofsky performance status, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation status, surgical management, and survival. The superficial location distant from the eloquent area was more likely associated with a preserved functional status at diagnosis (348 of 392 patients [89%], P < .05), a large surgical resection (173 of 392 patients [44%], P < .05), and prolonged overall survival (163 of 334 patients [49%], P < .05). In contrast, deep location and location within eloquent brain areas were more likely associated with an impaired functional status at diagnosis (44 of 392 patients [11%], P < .05), a neurologic deficit (282 of 392 patients [72%], P < .05), treatment with biopsy only (183 of 392 patients [47%], P < .05), and shortened overall survival (171 of 334 patients [51%], P < .05). Conclusion The authors identified the preferential location of isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type glioblastomas according to parameters of interest and provided an image-based integration of multimodal information impacting survival results. This suggests the role of glioblastoma location as a surrogate and multimodal parameter integrating several known prognostic factors. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Huang in this issue.

432P - Role of Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) in neurosurgery, potential imaging tool for maximizing gross total resection (GTR) rate of CNS tumours

BackgroundHigh field iMRI with integrated neuronavigation system is an advanced diagnostic tool gives information about extent of resection allowing immediate update of neuronavigation parameters after anatomic changes occuring as a result of tumour resection, cerebrospinal fluid evacuation and brain shift. Methods20 CNS tumour cases underwent Brain suite MRI prior to surgery, then surgery was done after patient registration in navigation system using iMRI. Preoperative tumor volume was manually segmented, compared with intraoperative volume after first resection attempt and final post operative volume after surgical closure to calculate extent of resection (EOR).Descriptive statistics were used to find mean, SD, frequency, percentage of variables. Normally distributed interval data reported as means by two-sample t- test. Non-normally distributed interval/ordinal data reported as median{inter-quartile ranges} and compared among groups by Wilcoxon exact test to obtain EOR values. Results20 cases allocated to two groups (G), 1st in whom surgery was complete after first iMRI and 2nd who underwent further tumour removal. In G1 surgery was terminated in 11 cases after iMRI, GTR in 81.8% cases. iMRI showed subtotal resection(STR) in 18.2% patients but surgery stopped owing to infiltration of eloquent brain. Median preoperative tumour volume was 40.8cm3. Median postoperative tumour volume was 0.81cm3 with a significant p value (<0.001). Median EOR was 98.5% in G1. In G2, 9 of 20 (45%) underwent further resection of residual tumour after post resection iMRI. GTR in 77.7% and STR in 22.3%, because of tumour’s close proximity to eloquent brain area. Median % of tumour resection after the first iMRI was 82.65%. Median EOR from the final postoperative iMRI was 98.3%. GTR increased from 45% to 80 % after use of iMRI. Median % of residual tumour volume significantly decreased from 5.3% to 1.7 % (p value <0.001). Mean control tumour volume was 9.67% and final post operative volume of 4.72% , which is almost half of intraoperative tumour volume (p value <0.001). ConclusionsiMRI has potential role in maximizing gross total resection rates of CNS tumours which has an overall great prognostic impact. Legal entity responsible for the studyInstitutional ethics committee, Max Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi. FundingHas not received any funding. DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Supraglottic devices for airway management in awake craniotomy.

Awake craniotomy is a unique technique utilized for mapping neuro and motor function during neurosurgical procedures close to eloquent brain tissue. Since active communication is required only during surgical manipulation of eloquent brain tissue and the patient is “sedated” during other parts of the procedure, different methods for anesthesia management have been explored. Furthermore, airway management ranges from spontaneous breathing to oro or nasotracheal intubation. Case reports have described the use of laryngeal masks (LMs) previously; however, its safety compared to tracheal intubation has not been assessed.We conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 patients that underwent awake craniotomy for tumor surgery to compare the feasibility and safety of different airway management strategies. Nasal fiberoptic intubation (FOI) was performed in 21 patients while 9 patients received LM for airway management. Ventilation, critical events, and perioperative complications were evaluated.Cannot intubate situation occurred in 4 cases reinserting the tube after awake phase, while no difficulties were described reinserting the LM (P < .0001). Furthermore, duration of mechanical ventilation after tumor removal was significantly lower in the LM group compared to FOI group (62 ± 24 vs. 339 ± 82 [min] mean ± sem, P < .0001). Postoperatively, 2 patients in each group were diagnosed with and treated for respiratory complications including pneumonia, without statistical significance between groups.In summary, LM is a feasible airway management method for patients undergoing awake craniotomy, resulting in reduced ventilation duration compared to FOI procedure.

Epilepsy surgery – the role for earlier intervention and when to wean AEDS

In well-selected children with focal lesional epilepsy, surgery is the most effective – and only curative – treatment option. If the epileptogenic source is well-localized and outside eloquent brain areas, a focal resection or disconnection is considered. Children with hemispheric pathology and existing neurological deficits may undergo hemispherotomy. The overall chance of seizure-freedom in children is 70-80% at 2 years and 60-70% at 5 years following surgery. A recent randomized trial has confirmed the unequivocal benefits of surgery over continued medical treatment. The number of referrals and surgeries steadily increases in children. Surgical indications have broadened over the past decades, now including generalized epileptic encephalopathies in the context of unilateral structural pathology. An increasing number of MRI-negative children – with presumed focal cortical dysplasia – is evaluated for surgery, using improved functional and structural imaging and invasive monitoring. It has been convincingly demonstrated that postoperative seizure-outcome improves with shorter duration of epilepsy. Epilepsy surgery can improve developmental capacities of children with refractory epilepsy, and shorter epilepsy duration predicts better postoperative cognitive outcome and more cognitive improvement. Finally, AED withdrawal – which can be safely considered early after surgery in many children – is an independent predictor of eventual IQ and of IQ increase after surgery. Given the low risks of epilepsy surgery, the small chance of spontaneous “cure” in focal epilepsy, and the high success-rate of surgery, all children with focal lesional epilepsy should be referred for presurgical evaluation early after diagnosis, even when seizures are well-controlled with one or two AEDs. Epilepsy surgery is an early treatment option rather than a last resort.

Predictors of Epileptic Seizures and Ability to Work in Supratentorial Cavernous Angioma Located Within Eloquent Brain Areas.

The postoperative outcomes and the predictors of seizure control are poorly studied for supratentorial cavernous angiomas (CA) within or close to the eloquent brain area. To assess the predictors of preoperative seizure control, postoperative seizure control, and postoperative ability to work, and the safety of the surgery. Multicenter international retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients benefitting from a functional-based surgical resection with intraoperative functional brain mapping for a supratentorial CA within or close to eloquent brain areas. A total of 109 patients (66.1% women; mean age 38.4±12.5 yr), were studied. Age >38 yr (odds ratio [OR], 7.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-35.19; P=.013) and time to surgery > 12 mo (OR, 18.21; 95% CI, 1.11-296.55; P=.042) are independent predictors of uncontrolled seizures at the time of surgery. Focal deficit (OR, 10.25; 95% CI, 3.16-33.28; P<.001) is an independent predictor of inability to work at the time of surgery. History of epileptic seizures at the time of surgery (OR, 7.61; 95% CI, 1.67-85.42; P=.003) and partial resection of the CA and/or of the hemosiderin rim (OR, 12.02; 95% CI, 3.01-48.13; P<.001) are independent predictors of uncontrolled seizures postoperatively. Inability to work at the time of surgery (OR, 19.54; 95% CI, 1.90-425.48; P=.050), Karnofsky Performance Status≤70 (OR, 51.20; 95% CI, 1.20-2175.37; P=.039), uncontrolled seizures postoperatively (OR, 105.33; 95% CI, 4.32-2566.27; P=.004), and worsening of cognitive functions postoperatively (OR, 13.71; 95% CI, 1.06-176.66; P=.045) are independent predictors of inability to work postoperatively. The functional-based resection using intraoperative functional brain mapping allows safe resection of CA and the peripheral hemosiderin rim located within or close to eloquent brain areas.

Hemispheric tumor location and the impact on health-related quality of life, symptomatology, and functional performance outcomes in patients with glioma: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Purpose To inform high-quality rehabilitation services, this study investigates if patients with glioma located in the right- or left-hemisphere present with different health-related quality of life, symptomatology, and functional performance in the early disease state. Material and methods Between 2013 and 2017, 81 adult patients were assessed during the first week of chemo-radiation, following resection. Patients were stratified into two groups depending on a right- or left-hemispheric lesion. Independent t-tests analyzed potential differences regarding health-related quality of life, symptomatology, and functional performance. Results Forty-five patients (56%) had a tumor located in the right hemisphere, whereas 36 patients (44%) had a tumor in the left hemisphere. Except for more patients with tumors in the left hemisphere having their tumor located in eloquent brain areas, the groups were well matched. No group differences were found in health-related quality of life. Group differences were found in communication deficits (Δ-10.9, 95%CI −19.1; −2.3, p = 0.01), which were more frequent in patients with left-sided lesions, and of headaches (Δ13.9, 95%CI 1.8; 25.9, p = 0.02), which were more frequent in patients with right-hemispheric lesions, who also had significantly greater difficulties with process-skills when performing everyday life tasks (Δ-0.3, 95%CI −0.5; −0.1, p < 0.01). Also, weak evidence suggests that patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme located in the right hemisphere are more affected by fatigue compared to their left-hemispheric comparisons (Δ14.6, 95%CI 0.19; 29.0, p < 0.05). Conclusions The hemispheric location of a glial-cell brain tumor has no consequence for health-related quality of life at the beginning of chemo-radiation treatments. However, findings of tumor-location dependent conditions of communication, headache, patients’ ability to perform executive functions, and fatigue should be considered in rehabilitation situations when designing an intervention to potentially improve executive functions and relieve the symptoms. Implications for rehabilitation It is unclear if laterality impact glioma patients health-related quality of life and functional performance, which might implicate differentiated rehabilitation interventions. The hemispheric location of a glial-cell brain tumor has no consequence for the health-related quality of life at the beginning of chemo-radiation, following surgery. Tumor-location dependent conditions of communication, headache, fatigue, and patients’ ability to perform executive functions should be considered when designing an intervention to improve executive functions and symptom-relieve. In rehabilitation interventions, tumor laterality is not a factor that needs to be considered before recommending aerobic training to improve the functional capacity of patients with glioma.