Article
Functional neuronavigation in lesions of the central region by means of magneto-encephalography – practicability and clinical results
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Published: | April 23, 2004 |
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Outline
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Introduction
MEG is increasingly being used for the noninvasive functional preoperative mapping and for intraoperative functional Neuronavigation in patients with brain tumors. The aim of the present study was to assess the practicability of MEG-supported functional neuronavigation (FN) and to evaluate the outcome in patients operated with the aid of FN.
Methods
From september 1997 until december 2003, a preoperative MEG was obtained in 63 patients with intracranial lesions in or adjacent to the central region. MEG was performed using a 148-channel whole-head biomagnetometer (Magnes 2500 WH, Bti, San Diego, USA). The central region was identified by means of magnetic source imaging following the application of tactile stimuli to the right and left index fingers. The surgical outcome was assessed on the 1st and 7th postoperative day.
Results
MEG source localizations could be integrated in all cases in the intraoperative FN. Complete removal of the lesion was accomplished in all 29 patients with a non-malignant lesion and in 23 out of 34 patients with a malignant tumor in the central region. 11 patients harboring a tumor in the central region experienced a transient deterioration of a preexistent hemiparesis, which however resolved in all cases with two exeptions up to the 7th postoperative day.
Discussion
MEG-supported FN appears to emerge as a useful and reliable additional tool for function-preserving operations of intracranial lesions of the central region.