Zhibao Li1, Mingran Wang1, Liwei Zhang2, Xing Fan1, Xiaorong Tao1, Lei Qi1, Miao Ling1, Xiong Xiao2, Yuliang Wu2, Dongze Guo1, Hui Qiao3. 1. Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Neuroelectrophysiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. 3. Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Neuroelectrophysiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: hqiao1215@sina.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new technique in brainstem surgery, neuronavigation (NN)-guided corticospinal tract (CST) mapping, in a retrospective study of patients undergoing brainstem tumor surgery. METHODS: We studied 40 patients with a brainstem tumor who were enrolled in this study. Patients whose worst preoperative muscle strength of the 4 limbs was greater than 3 levels from normal on the Lovett scale were divided into 2 groups: a treatment group of 21 patients who underwent NN-guided CST mapping and routine intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (IONM) and a control group of 19 patients who underwent routine NN and IONM. Preoperative muscle strength and postoperative (day 90 postsurgery) muscle strength were assessed and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In the NN-guided CST mapping group, 3 patients (14.3%) had a decrease in muscle strength by 1 level postoperatively, and no patient experienced a decrease of >1 level. In the control group, 4 patients (21.1%) had a 1-level decrease in muscle strength, and 5 (26.3%) had a decrease of >1 level. Patients in the NN-guided CST mapping group had significantly better surgical outcomes compared with those in the control group (P = 0.018, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Brainstem tumor resection using NN-guided CST mapping achieved better preservation of motor function compared with routine NN and IONM. NN-guided CST mapping not only decreased the difficulty of the surgery, but also significantly improved the efficiency of surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new technique in brainstem surgery, neuronavigation (NN)-guided corticospinal tract (CST) mapping, in a retrospective study of patients undergoing brainstem tumor surgery. METHODS: We studied 40 patients with a brainstem tumor who were enrolled in this study. Patients whose worst preoperative muscle strength of the 4 limbs was greater than 3 levels from normal on the Lovett scale were divided into 2 groups: a treatment group of 21 patients who underwent NN-guided CST mapping and routine intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (IONM) and a control group of 19 patients who underwent routine NN and IONM. Preoperative muscle strength and postoperative (day 90 postsurgery) muscle strength were assessed and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In the NN-guided CST mapping group, 3 patients (14.3%) had a decrease in muscle strength by 1 level postoperatively, and no patient experienced a decrease of >1 level. In the control group, 4 patients (21.1%) had a 1-level decrease in muscle strength, and 5 (26.3%) had a decrease of >1 level. Patients in the NN-guided CST mapping group had significantly better surgical outcomes compared with those in the control group (P = 0.018, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Brainstem tumor resection using NN-guided CST mapping achieved better preservation of motor function compared with routine NN and IONM. NN-guided CST mapping not only decreased the difficulty of the surgery, but also significantly improved the efficiency of surgery.