Use Of Neuronavigation Research Articles

Reducing the risks of proximal and distal shunt failure in adult hydrocephalus: a shunt outcomes quality improvement study.

Patient outcomes of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery, the mainstay treatment for hydrocephalus in adults, are poor because of high shunt failure rates. The use of neuronavigation or laparoscopy can reduce the risks of proximal or distal shunt catheter failure, respectively, but has less independent effect on overall shunt failures. No adult studies to date have combined both approaches in the setting of a shunt infection prevention protocol to reduce shunt failure. The goal of this study was to determine whether combining neuronavigation and laparoscopy with a shunt infection prevention strategy would reduce the incidence of shunt failures in adult hydrocephalic patients. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) undergoing VP shunt surgery at a tertiary care institution prior to (pre-Shunt Outcomes [ShOut]) and after (post-ShOut) the start of a prospective continuous quality improvement (QI) study were compared. Pre-ShOut patients had their proximal and distal catheters placed under conventional freehand approaches. Post-ShOut patients had their shunts inserted with neuronavigational and laparoscopy assistance in placing the distal catheter in the perihepatic space (falciform technique). A shunt infection reduction protocol had been instituted 1.5 years prior to the start of the QI initiative. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of shunt failure (including infection) confirmed by standardized criteria indicating shunt revision surgery. There were 244 (115 pre-ShOut and 129 post-ShOut) patients observed over 7 years. With a background of shunt infection prophylaxis, combined neuronavigation and laparoscopy was associated with a reduction in overall shunt failure rates from 37% to 14%, 45% to 22%, and 51% to 29% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively (HR 0.44, p < 0.001). Shunt infection rates decreased from 8% in the pre-ShOut group to 0% in the post-ShOut group. There were no proximal catheter failures in the post-ShOut group. The 2-year rates of distal catheter failure were 42% versus 20% in the pre- and post-ShOut groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Introducing a shunt infection prevention protocol, placing the proximal catheter under neuronavigation, and placing the peritoneal catheter in the perihepatic space by using the falciform technique led to decreased rates of infection, distal shunt failure, and overall shunt failure.

CT-Based Intraoperative Navigation for Quick Identification of the Stylomastoid Foramen During Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis.

To present the ability of standard intraoperative neuronavigation to reliably identify the stylomastoid foramen, thus providing a quick and effective recognition of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull base. We describe the technical nuances of this procedure by presenting two surgical cases who underwent hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis for complete facial nerve palsy occurring post removal of a giant vestibular schwannoma 6 months earlier. CT-based neuronavigation allowed a quick and reliable identification of the stylomastoid foramen and of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull. The entire procedure lasted for 3 hours. Three months after the anastomosis, the first signs of facial muscle reinnervation were visible. The use of neuronavigation during hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is a simple and cost-effective strategy to decrease operative duration and increase surgical effectiveness.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Surgical Adjuncts and Resection of Glioblastoma (ELISAR GB): A UK and Ireland, multicentre, prospective observational cohort study

Abstract Aims Extent of resection is associated with better survival in patients with glioblastoma. Numerous surgical adjuncts can be used to achieve maximal safe resection - including fluorescence-guidance with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), neuronavigation, intraoperative ultrasound (IoUS), intra-operative MRI (iMRI), tractography, electrophysiological monitoring and awake surgery. We evaluated the availability, use and operative aim and success associated with these adjuncts. Method This is a prospective cohort study of 27 of 31 neurosurgical centres in the UK and Ireland from 6 January to 19 March 2020. Consecutive cases were identified through neuro-oncology multidisciplinary meetings. Eligible cases included adults with a supratentorial histopathologically confirmed glioblastoma with pre/post-operative reported T1-weighted MRI with contrast deemed suitable for resection. Outcomes included the availability and usage of surgical adjuncts, and the percentage of operations that achieved their aim of complete resection, defined as complete resection of enhancing tumour (CRET) on post-operative T1-MRI. We present the initial descriptive statistics from this national study. Results 232 patients with glioblastoma were included. In 142 patients (61.2%) the surgical aim was CRET. 5-ALA and neuronavigation were available in all centres (Figure 1). The most commonly used neurosurgical adjunct was neuronavigation (88.2%) (Figure 2). The proportion of patients receiving 5-ALA in CRET and debulking-only groups was 65.0% and 48.9%, respectively. 35 different combinations of adjuncts were found in total, with 13 unique combinations only used in one instance (Figures 1 &amp; 2). CRET was achieved in 69/142 (45.8%) patients in which was the aim. 9/90 (10%) patients in the debulking-only group achieved CRET, of which 7/9 (77.8%) had received 5-ALA. Of the three most frequently used combination of adjuncts for patients deemed feasible for CRET, the most successful in terms of achieving CRET was the combined use of neuronavigation, 5-ALA and IoUS, with post-operative CRET at 47.4% (Figure 3). Conclusion ELISAR-GB has collated prospective data to demonstrate the current use of intraoperative adjuncts in the UK and Ireland. There is marked heterogeneity with regards to combinations of adjuncts used. A CRET of 47% is lower than would be expected compared to previously published literature, possibly due to a more stringent definition of complete resection in this study. Based on these early descriptive results, there is no clear combination of adjuncts that shows superiority and use of 5-ALA does not always result in CRET when it is the surgical aim. Of interest, 5-ALA is being used for operations that do not aim for complete resection, a change in indication. The FUTURE GB trial will provide more conclusive evidence on the efficacy of surgical adjuncts to maximise extent of resection.

Comparative Study between Neuro-navigation and Intra-Operative Ultrasound in Excision of Intra-axial Brain Lesions

Abstract Background The application of imaging during surgery can improve patient outcomes by accurate and thorough removal of lesions while having minimal impact on healthy tissue. Aim of the Work to compare the use of neuronavigation to intraoperative ultrasound guidance in excision of intra-axial brain lesion. Patients and Methods This cohort study was conducted on 51 patients with intra-axial brain lesion is amenable to gross total resection. The primary outcome was extent of resection assessed using a non-volumetric technique. Other outcomes included the postoperative functional status and the rate of operative complications. Results There were 34 patients in the Neuronavigation group and 17 patients in the ultrasound group. The extent of resection was significantly better in the ultrasound group as the extent of tumor resection based on the GTR/NTR/STR method of assessment showed that the IOUS group had statistically significant higher chance of achieving GTR (29.4%) than the navigation group (8.8%). In the IOUS group near total and subtotal resection rates were 17% and 52% respectively. In neuronavigation group 11.8% and 79.4%. Conclusion application of ultrasound integrated in Neuronavigation system guidance in surgery excision of intra-axial brain lesions is a useful tool in achieving a higher extent of tumor resection (EOR).

Use of Neuroanatomic Knowledge and Neuronavigation System for a Safe Anterior Petrosectomy

Introduction: The petroclival region is among the most challenging anatomical areas to deal with in skull base surgery. Drilling of the anterior part of the petrous bone during the anterior transpetrosal approach involves the risk of injury of the cochlea, superior semicircular canal, internal carotid artery, and internal auditory canal. A thorough understanding of the microneurosurgical anatomy of this region is mandatory to execute the transpetrosal approaches, decreasing the risk of complications. The aim of this study is to describe the anatomical structures of the petroclival region, highlighting the importance of neuronavigation for safe performance of the anterior transpetrosal approach. Methods: Three adult cadaveric human heads were formalin-fixed and injected with colored silicone. They underwent an axial 1 mm slab CT scan, which was used for neuronavigation during the surgical approaches. The anterior petrosectomy was performed with the aid of neuronavigation during the drilling of the petrous bone. The surgical management of a patient harboring a petroclival meningioma, operated on using an anterior transpetrosal approach, was reported as an illustrative case. Results: The anterior petrosectomy was completed accurately with wide exposure of the surgical target without injuring the cochlea and other structures in all three cadaveric specimens. In the surgical case, no approach-related complications occurred, and a gross total resection of the tumor was achieved. Conclusions: Deep knowledge of the location and relationships of the vital elements located within the temporal bone, along with the use of neuronavigation, are the key aspects to perform the anterior transpetrosal approach safely, reducing the risk of complications.

Neuronavigation system in neurosurgery: Technical details and our early clinical experiences

Introduction: Image-guided surgery is the need of time in neurosurgery. The use of neuronavigation has a significant impact on various neurosurgical procedures. We report our clinical experience and surgical techniques of neuronavigation assisted intracranial and spinal surgeries.&#x0D; Materials and Method: This is observational longitudinal study of 65patients who underwent surgeries using navigation system in the department of neurosurgery, National Neurosurgical Referral Center, National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Bir hospital and National Trauma Center, over the period of one and a half year. Description of Navigation techniques, its applications and surgical outcome were studied. Medtronic Stealth station 7 and Brain Lab Curve Neuronavigation system, which can be used as both frame based and frameless image guided system were employed in this study.&#x0D; Results: We used Neuronavigation system in 60 cases of cranial procedures and 5 cases of spinal stabilizing procedures. Among intracranial surgeries we utilized this system to effectively make bone flaps and burr holes, to detect critically located deep-seated, subcortical and skull base tumors and to operate on intra parenchymal lesions with grossly unclear margins.&#x0D; Neuronavigation system was used in 5 cases of spinal procedures for pedicle screw placement.&#x0D; Conclusion: Neuronavigation is a tool that provides numerous advantages to the neurosurgeon like more accurate planning approach, ability to use smaller approaches, higher precision for intraoperative localization of different anatomical structures and offering greater surgical safety. This technique, although apparently very complex in the beginning, becomes very user-friendly gradually and positively appreciated by everyone who uses it, after going through a relatively short learning curve.

The Impact of Neuronavigation on the Surgical Outcome of Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is considered the only etiological treatment for drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Nonetheless, despite the recent technological advances, the risks associated with MVD remain non-negligible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of using neuronavigation on the surgical outcomes of patients with TN submitted for MVD. We analyzed 30 consecutive patients (11 men, 19 women) who underwent MVD for TN between January 2019 and December 2019. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to the use of neuronavigation (group A: MVD with neuronavigation; group B: MVD without neuronavigation). The impact of neuronavigation was assessed on the following parameters: craniotomy size, surgical duration, mastoid air cell opening, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and other complications occurrence, and length of hospitalization. The acute pain relief and the Barrow Neurological Institute score at follow-up were used to evaluate the functional outcome. The craniotomy size, the surgical duration, and the CSF leak incidence were significantly reduced in group A compared with group B (P= 0.0009, P= 0.0369, and P= 0.0406, respectively). The incidence of mastoid air cell opening, and the length of hospitalization were reduced in group A compared with group B, although these differences were not statistically significant. We obtained an acute pain relief in all cases, and the Barrow Neurological Institute score at follow-up was significantly reduced (P < 0.0001). Neuronavigation is a useful tool that significantly reduced craniotomy size, surgical duration, and CSF leak incidence in patients with TN submitted for MVD. We advise to routinely implement neuronavigation in this type of surgery.

Towards improved outcome in children treated surgically for spontaneous intracranial suppuration in South Wales

Introduction Spontaneous central nervous system (CNS) infections in children are rare. Treatment involves surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy. We describe a single centre experience of managing this condition in South Wales. Methods We performed a retrospective review of surgically managed cases in our unit for patients under 18 years of age between 2008 and 2018. Data were collected regarding aetiology, location, microbiology examination, treatment and outcomes. Results Twenty-six patients were identified of which 25 case notes were available. Fifteen were male and 10 were female. Median age was 12 years (age range 0.3–17 years). Seven patients (28%) had a burr-hole aspiration and 18 (72%) underwent craniotomy. A second procedure was performed in 10 (40%) and a third procedure in two (8%). Fourteen (56%) had a brain abscess, 10 (40%) had subdural empyema (one was bilateral) and one (4%) had an extradural empyema. Fifteen (60%) had a raised WCC (>11.5 × 109/L) and 22 (88%) had a CRP of >10 mg/L at presentation. Three (12%) patients had a normal WCC and CRP at presentation. Overall, 12 (48%) were secondary to sinus infection, with the most common organism being Streptococcus. Seven (28%) were due to otitis media or mastoiditis, six (24%) had no cause identified. The mean number of CT/MRI scans was 6.7 (range 3–13). The mean follow-up period was 16.7 months (range 1–117 months). At last follow up, 19 (76%) had a GOS of 5, five (20%) had a GOS of 4 and one (12%) had GOS of 3. There were no deaths. Conclusions In Wales, outcomes have improved over time in keeping with other paediatric neurosurgical units in England. Increased availability of imaging resources in our hospital and use of neuro-navigation for all cases in our unit as well as earlier identification of sepsis, communication with microbiologists with dedicated ward rounds and, enhanced identification of causative organisms and contemporary anti-microbials have also contributed towards the improved management of this condition.

Use of Neuronavigation in posterior fossa and pineal region tumour surgery: Technical challenges

Aim: To evaluate use of Neuronavigation in posterior fossa & pineal region tumour surgery. Material and Method: The present prospective non-randomised observational study was conducted at Neurosurgery Department, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences (B.I.N) / IPGMER & PG Hospital, Kolkata from Dec 2018 - Dec 2020. 50 cases were diagnosed with posterior fossa & pineal region tumour during the study period. Cranial image guided score (IGS) was calculated by the summation of grading during designing the flap/burr hole, delineation of the intraoperative anatomy, navigation and access to the lesion and resection of the lesion or completion of the procedure. The scoring ranged from 0-12 and the utility of IGS in cranial neurosurgical procedures was calculated based on the total points for each surgery. At the time of discharge/1 month/3 months/6 months/12 month’s outcome was assessed according to Glasgow outcome scale. One month after surgery, according to Karnofsky, the patient’s condition was divided into good and poor. Results: Biopsy, subtotal resection and gross total resection was achieved in 11 (22%), 15 (30%) and 24 (48%) subjects respectively. According to cranial IGS score, neuronavigation was more useful than conventional methods and irreplaceable among 52% and 26% of the subjects respectively. Only in two cases, it was not helpful. Conclusion: This study proved that the employed neuronavigation system is versatile and safe and that there are no adverse effects, complications or surgical mortality due to the device.

Differential independent impact of the intraoperative use of navigation and angled endoscopes on the surgical outcome of endonasal endoscopy for pituitary tumors: a prospective study.

Despite widespread popularity of navigation and angled endoscopes in endonasal endoscopy, there are hardly few studies on their efficacy with the extent of resection or retreatment. This is probably the firststudy to assess the independent impact of these adjuncts among pituitary tumors. Patients with pituitary tumors undergoing endonasal endoscopy were prospectively studied for their demographics, clinico-radiological features, intraoperative use of navigation, and angled endoscopes, in relation to gross total resection (GTR), near total resection (NTR), endocrine remission, and retreatment. Pertinent statistical analyses were performed. Among a total of 139 patients, navigation and angled endoscopes could be used in 54 and 48 patients, respectively, depending upon their availability rather than chosen as per the case. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics in relation to their use. The surgeon's perception of immediate benefit was noted among 51.9% while using navigation. The use of angled endoscopes towards the end of resection could help with additional tumor removal in 62.5% of patients. Overall, the use of navigation resulted in a significantly higher GTR (80.8% vs. 59.7%, OR 2.83, p= 0.01), a higher GTR/NTR (86.5% vs. 70.8%, OR 2.65, p= 0.04), and a lower retreatment rate (7.7% vs. 20.8%, OR 3.15, p= 0.05) than the others. In functioning tumors with cavernous sinus invasion, navigation had significantly increased remission rates (69.2% vs. 0%, p= 0.03). The use of angled endoscopes yielded a significantly higher GTR/NTR (91.7% vs. 70.6%, p= 0.04) and a lower retreatment rate (0% vs. 15.7%, p= 0.05) among only non-functioning adenomas. In multivariate analyses, the use of neuronavigation had a significant association with both GTR and retreatment rates (p values 0.005 and 0.02 respectively), independent of other confounding factors. The elective intraoperative use of navigation has a significant independent impact on the extent of resection and retreatment overall. While navigation results in better remission rates among functioning tumors with cavernous sinus invasion, angled endoscopy has a significant association with surgical outcomes in non-functioning tumors.

Comparison of tumor surface marking by experienced neurosurgeon versus neuronavigation guidance

Introduction: Accurate flap marking has always been a challenge for neurosurgeons during tumor surgery. The use of neuronavigation has somewhat overcome this problem by allowing the navigation of intraoperative 3D neuroanatomy of the lesion. In this study, we aim to evaluate the percentage discrepancy of tumor surface marking by experienced neurosurgeon versus neuronavigation guidance.&#x0D; Methods: This is a prospective analytical study. Initial surface marking of the tumor was done by experienced neurosurgeon on the basis of sagittal, coronal and axial Magnetic Resonance Imaging films; and later was re-marked using neuronavigation. Photographs of surface markings were taken then comparison was done by plotting marking on the standard graph paper and percentage discrepancies were calculated for every case.&#x0D; Results: Percentage discrepancy ranged from 15 % to 81 % and the mean discrepancy score was 44%.&#x0D; Conclusion: Even in experienced neurosurgeon's hand, flap marking is not always accurate and neuronavigation definitely seems to be an effective tool.

Letter: The Risk of COVID-19 Infection During Neurosurgical Procedures: A Review of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Modes of Transmission and Proposed Neurosurgery-Specific Measures for Mitigation.

Letter: The Risk of COVID-19 Infection During Neurosurgical Procedures: A Review of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Modes of Transmission and Proposed Neurosurgery-Specific Measures for Mitigation.

Integration of Spatial Information Increases Reproducibility in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

As functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is developed as a neuroimaging technique and becomes an option to study a variety of populations and tasks, the reproducibility of the fNIRS signal is still subject of debate. By performing test–retest protocols over different functional tasks, several studies agree that the fNIRS signal is reproducible over group analysis, but the inter-subject and within-subject reproducibility is poor. The high variability at the first statistical level is often attributed to global systemic physiology. In the present work, we revisited the reproducibility of the fNIRS signal during a finger-tapping task across multiple sessions on the same and different days. We expanded on previous studies by hypothesizing that the lack of spatial information of the optodes contributes to the low reproducibility in fNIRS, and we incorporated a real-time neuronavigation protocol to provide accurate cortical localization of the optodes. Our proposed approach was validated in 10 healthy volunteers, and our results suggest that the addition of neuronavigation can increase the within-subject reproducibility of the fNIRS data, particularly in the region of interest. Unlike traditional approaches to positioning the optodes, in which low intra-subject reproducibility has been found, we were able to obtain consistent and robust activation of the contralateral primary motor cortex at the intra-subject level using a neuronavigation protocol. Overall, our findings support the hypothesis that at least part of the variability in fNIRS cannot be only attributed to global systemic physiology. The use of neuronavigation to guide probe positioning, as proposed in this work, has impacts to longitudinal protocols performed with fNIRS.

Neuronavigation Assistance. Decreased radiation exposure during spinal surgery in patients with severe combined trauma

Absnract. The results of the study of intraoperative x-ray irradiation of the affected two arrays are presented: the main array using neuronavigation and the control group, where standard 2D fluoroscopy was used. The radiation load on the operating surgeon and auxiliary operating personnel was also evaluated. Intraoperative visualization was carried out using the second-generation iNtellect ENT Navigation rack of the Stryker company (United States of America) for the victims of the main array and the Ziehm Vision RFD optical-optical converter (Germany) of the company for the victims of the control group. The imaging option using an electron-optical transducer is especially important for minimally invasive procedures, where instrumentation is performed percutaneously without direct anatomical control, as opposed to open procedures or working with distorted anatomical structures during injuries. Biplanar fluoroscopy was one of the first intraoperative methods of imaging in real time, and remains one of the leading technologies in orthopedic and spinal surgery. However, radiation exposure from intraoperative fluoroscopy remains a serious problem for patients, surgeons, and operating support staff. The negative effect of ionizing radiation leads to cell damage through the induction of deoxyribonucleic acid and the release of reactive oxygen species. In this regard, cell death or genome instability occurs, which leads to various radiation-related pathologies. It was found that the use of neuronavigation reduces the number of errors, reduces intraoperative trauma, and significantly reduces intraoperative radiation exposure to the injured, operating surgeon and auxiliary operating personnel. The large-scale introduction of navigation technologies will reduce or completely eliminate the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on the injured and medical personnel.

Accuracy of 2D Fluoroscopy with Preoperative CT Fused Neuronavigation in Thoracic and Lumbar Pedicle Screw Insertion

Aim: Pedicle screw fixation is an established technique in the lumbar and thoracic area. Fluoroscopy-guided screw placement and subsequently navigation have decreased the rate of misplaced screws, but no technique has wholly eliminated this risk. This paper aims to study the difference between the accuracy of the fluoroscopic guided screw placement to that of the 2D fluoroscopy- preop CT fused neuronavigation guided technique, a lesser-used navigation technique. &#x0D; Material and Methods: This retrospective study reflects our results using both techniques between March 2018 and March 2019 in both degenerative or traumatic spinal pathology for thoracic and lumbar regions. The accuracy of the screw placement was measured using Mirza grading system on postoperative CT images.&#x0D; Results: A total number of 56 patients underwent spinal instrumentation surgery. A total of 274 screws were placed with a mean number of 4.89 screws per patient; 199 screws were implanted using neuronavigation and 75 using the freehand-2D fluoroscopy-guided technique. The accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement in the freehand technique guided by 2D fluoroscopy was 88,00%. With the use of neuronavigation, the accuracy increased to 89,96%.&#x0D; Conclusion: Pedicle screw placement accuracy is higher when guided by CT-fluoro matching neuronavigation compared to freehand fluoroscopy-guided technique and can be used in departments where there is no intraoperative O-arm or 3D fluoroscopy available.

Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation for the Management of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review

Repetitive magnetic stimulation (rMS) is a safe and well-tolerated intervention. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used for the treatment of depression and for the treatment and prevention of migraine. Over the last few years, several reports and randomised controlled studies of the use of rMS for the treatment of pain have been published. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the available literature regarding the use of rMS in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain. After a systematic Medline search we identified 12 papers eligible to be included in this review. The majority of the studies were on patients with phantom limb pain, followed by radiculopathy, plexopathy, post-traumatic pain and peripheral neuropathy. The treatment protocols vary significantly from study to study and, therefore, pooling the results together is currently difficult. However, rMS has a definite immediate effect in pain relief which, in the majority of studies, is maintained for a few weeks. rMS seems to be a promising intervention in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain. Further research is in the field is needed. Use of neuronavigation might increase the precision of stimulation and subsequently its effectiveness.

Neuronavigation as a Tool for Pre-Surgical Planning in Refractory Epilepsy Surgery

Summary Epilepsy is one of the most frequent chronic neurological pathologies, with high incidence and prevalence worldwide. A third of these patients are resistant to treatment, which is known as refractory epilepsy. Most of these patients suffer epilepsy secondary to epileptogenic lesions, where the surgery is the only treatment that could cure epilepsy. The goal of epilepsy surgery is to remove the epileptogenic area with preservation of eloquent areas, and here the surgical experience, the neuroimaging technology and the availability of image-guided surgery systems known as a neuronavigator plays a key role. Objectives: To demonstrate the usefulness of neuronavigation in pre-surgical planning and in the surgery of refractory epilepsy. Method: A cross-sectional and analytical descriptive study was conducted based on 47 surgeries performed (12 resective, 32 palliative and 3 diagnostic) in patients with refractory epilepsy and mean age of 9.93 years (SD 4.1). In 27 patients (57.44%) the neuronavigator was used. In the group of patients operated with neuronavigation, the surgical time decreased by 47.17 minutes (p = 0.022), the amount of bleeding by 111.41 milliliters (p = 0.011) and the days of hospitalization by 6.68 days (p = 0.005), compared with the group operated without neuronavigation. Complications in the neuronavigation group were 29.63% compared to 65% in the group operated without neuronavigation (p = 0.034). Conclusions: In our series, the use of the neuronavigator in the planning and development of the surgery had a significant impact by reducing the amount of bleeding lost, the surgical time, the days of hospitalization, and the post-surgical complications.

STMO-14 SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF DEEP-SEATED GLIOMA AROUND THALAMUS

BACKGROUNDHigher extent of resection contributes to better prognosis of the patients with glioma. However, resection of deep-seated glioma represents a surgical challenge not only because of the depth but because of adjacent eloquent structures such as pyramidal tract, deep venous system, and brainstem.METHODSWe performed a retrospective review of patients with deep-seated glioma around thalamus who underwent surgery between March 2014 and February 2019. The tumors were removed with use of neuronavigation, DTI tractography, electrophysiological monitoring and photo dynamics diagnosis using aminolevulinic acid via interhemispheric or transcortical approach. Volumetric analysis of preoperative tumor volume as well as postoperative residual volumes was performed. RESULTSA total of 17 patients, ages ranged from 13–79 years (median; 51) were eligible. Twelve patients underwent radical resection and 5 underwent biopsy (2 with craniotomy, 2 with endoscopy, and 1 stereotactic biopsy). Pathological diagnosis consisted of glioblastoma (GBM) in 10, diffuse midline glioma (DMG) in 3, anaplastic astrocytoma in 3, and diffuse astrocytoma in 1. Extent of resection of the patients attempted radical resection was 96.7%±6.4%. Postoperatively, 12 patients developed hemianopsia, 2 had hemiparesis because of corticospinal tract injury, 2 sensory disturbance, and 3 cognitive dysfunction. At 1 month after surgery, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) worsened in 5 GBM patients and 1 DMG patient, while improved or stable in the rest 11 patients.CONCLUSIONResection of deep-seated glioma around thalamus accompanies a high risk of neurological deficits. Nevertheless, radical resection without KPS decline can be achieved by preserving the corticospinal tract, deep venous system, and brainstem and minimizing damages of surrounding brain.

INNV-11. THE RISK OF HEMORRHAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING OMMAYA RESERVOIR PLACEMENT FOR INTRATHECAL CHEMOTHERAPY: A SINGLE INSTITUTION RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract PURPOSE Ommaya reservoirs are frequently inserted in patients requiring regular delivery of intrathecal medications. The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage following insertion ranges from 1–3% and is typically associated with thrombocytopenia. However, the exact platelet count at which it is considered safe to insert an Ommaya reservoir has not been previously reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of the relationship between thrombocytopenia and post-operative hemorrhage following insertion of Ommaya reservoirs for intrathecal chemotherapy. METHODS Consecutive patients requiring insertion of an Ommaya reservoir were enrolled in the study with no minimum platelet count as an exclusion criterion. Patients data were retrospectively reviewed with thrombocytopenia defined as platelet count &lt; 100,000. All thrombocytopenic patients received at least one unit of intraoperative platelet transfusion. Post-operative incidence of hemorrhage, determined through CT scan, was compared between the thrombocytopenic group and normal platelet group. RESULTS 53 patients were enrolled within the study with 23 patients determined to be thrombocytopenic at the time of insertion. Thrombocytopenic patients were found to have 18.6 times the odds of post-operative bleeding when compared to patients with normal platelet counts (p&lt; 0.001). However, no patient in the thrombocytopenic group had a clinically significant bleed, defined as being symptomatic or requiring intervention. CONCLUSIONS Although thrombocytopenia increases the risk of post-operative hemorrhage associated with Ommaya reservoir placement, there is no increase in clinically significant bleeding. With concurrent platelet transfusion and use of neuronavigation, Ommaya reservoir may be safely placed in thrombocytopenic patients.

Image Guidance for Ventricular Shunt Surgery: An Analysis of Hospital Charges.

Image guidance for shunt surgery results in more accurate proximal catheter placement. However, reduction in shunt failure remains unclear in the literature. There have been no prior studies evaluating the cost effectiveness of neuronavigation for shunt surgery. To perform a cost analysis using available hospital charges of hypothetical shunt surgery performed with/without electromagnetic neuronavigation (EMN). Hospital charges were collected for physician fees, radiology, operating room (OR) time and supplies, postanesthesia care unit, hospitalization days, laboratory, and medications. Index shunt surgery charges (de novo or revision) were totaled and the difference calculated. This difference was compared with hospital charges for shunt revision surgery performed under 2 clinical scenarios: (1) same hospital stay as the index surgery; and (2) readmission through the emergency department. Costs for freehand de novo and revision shunt surgery were $23 946.22 and $23 359.22, respectively. For stealth-guided de novo and revision surgery, the costs were $33 646.94 and $33 059.94, a difference of $9700.72. The largest charge increase was due to additional OR time (34 min; $4794), followed by disposable EMN equipment ($2672). Total effective charges to revise the shunt for scenarios 1 and 2 were $34 622.94 and $35 934.94, respectively. The cost ratios between the total revision charges for both scenarios and the difference in freehand vs EMN-assisted shunt surgery ($9700.72) were 3.57 and 3.70, respectively. From an economic standpoint and within the limitations of our models, the number needed to prevent must be 4 or less for the use of neuronavigation to be considered cost effective.