Intraoperative electrical stimulation for mapping of eloquent brain areas

Objective To analyze the roles of the intraoperative electrical stimulation in judgment of eloquent brain areas. Methods The resections of gliomas in 25 cases and the roles of functional magnetic resonance imaging and DTI in mapping of gliomas and eloquent brain areas were analyzed retrospectively. The intraoperative electrical stimulation for judgment of eloquent brain areas permitted aggressive resection of gliomas and improved patients' postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). Results Score improved from average 85.8 to 95.3 in patients with KPS scores ranged form 80 to 90, and to 73.3 with KPS scores from 40 to 70. Postoperative MRI showed total removal was achieved in 23 cases, and subtotal removal in 2. Conclusion Intraoperative electrical stimulation permits identification of eloquent brain areas and aggressive resection of gliomas with minimal invasiveness to the surrounding brain tissue.