The combination of neuronavigation with transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of opercular gliomas of the dominant brain hemisphere

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the application of transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with neuronavigation for preoperative mapping of the language area in neurosurgical interventions on the opercular area of the dominant hemisphere.

Methods

Five patients were operated upon gliomas in the opercular area. For localization of the speech area a transcranial magnetic stimulator MEDTRONIC-MagPro was used. BrainLAB-VectorVision Neuronavigation system was utilized for precise planning of the operative approach.

Results

Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. Three-month postoperative follow-up was done. Three of the patients had a transient postoperative motor aphasia which resolved within 1 month.

Conclusion

This method is useful for preoperative localization of the speech area, as well as preoperative planning of the operative approach and intra-operative planning of the direction of brain retraction and operative corridor.