Minimally Invasive Stereotactically-Guided Extirpation of Brain Stern Cavernoma with the Aid of Electrophysiological Methods

Abstract

The surgical extirpation of brain stem cavernomas always includes a risk of neurological deficits. To minimize the risk of deficits and control the motor and sensory function intraoperative monitoring of SEP and MEP seems to be helpful. The high density of motor and sensory fibers within the brain stem makes bilateral intraoperative monitoring necessary. The following case demonstrates a stereotactically-guided supratentorial, transventricular approach for extirpation of a brain stem cavernoma. Sensory and motoric functions were observed by transcranial recording of SEP's and by transcranial stimulation of motor cortex.

Key words

Brain stem cavernoma - Stereotactic guidance - Motor evoked and sensory evoked potential monitoring