Keywords direct electrical stimulation - intraoperative stimulation mapping - awake craniotomy
- language mapping - motor mapping
Introduction
Advances in neurosurgical techniques have significantly improved overall survival
and quality of life in patients with low-grade glioma[1 ] and medically refractory epilepsy.[2 ] A lesion within or adjacent to an eloquent brain region poses a unique challenge
for neurosurgeons, as maximal resection conflicts with the preservation of neurological
functions. The wide interindividual anatomical and functional variability of eloquent
areas and the limitations of current preoperative functional brain imaging technologies
reinforce the need for real-time intraoperative mapping techniques to enable safe
and tailored resection.[3 ]
[4 ]
[5 ] As such, despite almost a century of clinical application, direct electrical cortical
stimulation (DES) in awake patients remains the gold standard for intraoperative brain
mapping of the eloquent cortex due to its high precision and reliability in identifying
functional cortical and subcortical structures during resection. In the first part
of this narrative review, we summarize the principles, techniques, and applications
of intraoperative stimulation mapping (ISM) in neurosurgery relevant to anesthesiologists
and the common tasks assessed intraoperatively.
Methods
A comprehensive electronic search was performed in the following databases from their
inception to June 2023: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google
Scholar. The literature search was performed using specific keywords: intraoperative
stimulation mapping, brain mapping, intraoperative cortical or subcortical mapping,
motor mapping, language mapping, awake craniotomy (AC), and asleep mapping. Articles
were screened and included if it described the technical aspects of intraoperative
brain mapping either during glioma surgery or epilepsy surgery, neurophysiological
tests done during intraoperative mapping, and patient outcomes after brain resection
guided by ISM. Articles that described extraoperative mapping and AC without ISM were
excluded.
Intraoperative Stimulation Mapping
Intraoperative Stimulation Mapping
Brief History of Direct Electrical Stimulation of the Brain
Direct Electrical Stimulation (DES) of the human cortex was pioneered by Robert Bartholow
in 1874 in a patient with an exposed cortex secondary to basal cell carcinoma that
demonstrated contralateral motor responses.[6 ] Several clinicians then used it to delineate eloquent parts of the brain, most notably
by Penfield in 1937 with his famous description of motor and sensory homunculi.[7 ] In the 1970s, George Ojemann further revolutionized cortical mapping in the modern
era by improving the understanding of cortical stimulation responses and recording
single neurons' activity in awake patients.[8 ] His innovation in ISM enabled accurate language mapping, resulting in a marked reduction
in aphasia after epilepsy surgery. Before the 1990s, DES was performed primarily in
awake patients due to the inconsistent cortical response elicited in patients under
general anesthesia (GA). In 1993, Taniguchi et al proposed a high-frequency stimulation
paradigm in humans for cortical mapping which they found to be effective in triggering
distal muscle contraction in patients under GA.[9 ] This became the scientific basis for current motor mapping under GA. The mapping
of the subcortical tract was first described by Skirboll et al in 1996 in a case series
of glioma resections.[10 ] Thereafter, with a deeper understanding of the white matter tracts and advancement
of functional imaging modalities, cortical and subcortical mapping are frequently
used together during ISM in neurosurgery.[4 ]
[11 ]
[12 ]
[13 ]
[14 ]
[15 ]
[16 ]
[17 ]
[18 ]
The Physical Basis of Direct Electrical Stimulation of the Brain
Electrical stimulation induces a passive increase in the membrane potential of stimulated
neurons at the cathodal level, which leads to antegrade or retrograde propagation
of an action potential. Once the threshold potential is reached, it is followed by
synaptic conduction within the physiological subcircuit of interest.[19 ] Neurons are preferentially activated at the level of the initial segment of axons
and nodes of Ranvier, which have the highest density of sodium channels in the neuron.[20 ]
[21 ] Increases in stimulation intensity increase the density of activated axons in proximity
to the electrode tip and the distance of activated axons through transsynaptic activation
of sites connected to the stimulation site.[22 ]
[23 ]
[24 ] Preclinical studies have shown that single cortical DES evokes an action potential
followed by long-lasting inhibition suggesting that stimulation of cortical afferents
disrupts the propagation of cortico-cortical signals beyond the first synapse.[25 ] A comprehensive discussion of the biophysical and mathematical principles underlying
DES is beyond the scope of this article and can be found elsewhere.[26 ]
Stimulation Paradigms
Two primary stimulation paradigms form the basis of functional mapping protocols used
in contemporary neurosurgery.[27 ] The traditional DES technique, also known as the Penfield technique, uses low-frequency
(LF) stimulation (50–60 Hz) via a bipolar stimulator probe ([Fig. 1 ]) with two electrodes 5 mm apart, delivering biphasic square waveform pulses of alternating
anodal and cathodal polarity. LF stimulation induces positive mapping responses (motor
and speech) in current intensity range between 2 and 7 mA in an awake patient, but
higher current intensities (7–16 mA) are required for motor mapping under GA.[28 ]
[29 ]
[30 ]
Fig. 1 Common stimulation probes used during intraoperative stimulation mapping: (A ) monopolar ball-tip probe; (B ) monopolar flat-tip probe (used for simultaneous resection); and (C ) bipolar probe.
The second technique, or the Taniguchi technique, employs high-frequency (HF) stimulation
(250–500 Hz), monophasic square waveform pulses, delivered as a train of five pulses
(range between 4 and 9 pulses) via a monopolar (most commonly) or bipolar probe ([Fig. 1 ]).[28 ]
[31 ] The current intensity needed to produce a positive mapping response (motor and speech)
in awake conditions ranges between 2 and 7 mA, and higher current is required for
motor mapping under GA (5–15 mA).[28 ]
[29 ]
[30 ] The electrical field distribution differs by the stimulation probe used. The monopolar
probe emits a radial homogenous electrical field, while the bipolar probe delivers
a more focused inter-tip electrical field.[32 ] A bipolar probe with LF stimulation increases the focality, but requires an increase
in current intensity.[33 ] A specialized monopolar suction stimulator has recently allowed dynamic mapping
via concurrent subcortical stimulation and tumor resection ([Fig. 2 ]).[34 ]
[35 ] The salient differences between both stimulation paradigms are summarized in [Table 1 ].
Fig. 2 (A ) Monopolar stimulator (red cable) attached to metal suction tip via a metal clip
(red); (B ) used by surgeon intraoperatively for continuous dynamic mapping during resection.
Table 1
Comparison of stimulation paradigms used during intraoperative stimulation mapping
Low-frequency (LF)
High-frequency (HF)
Frequency
50–60 Hz
250–500 Hz
Pulse form
Biphasic
Monophasic
Probe used
Bipolar
Monopolar or bipolar (less common)
Number of pulses
N/A
Train of 5 pulses (range between 4 and 9 pulses)
Current intensity
Awake
Asleep (motor mapping)
2–7 mA
7–16 mA
2–7 mA
5–15 mA
Current spread direction
Focused inter tip spread
Homogenous radial spread
Pulse polarity
N/A
Anodal for cortical
Cathodal for subcortical
Others
Used primarily for language mapping
Less effective for asleep motor mapping
Ineffective in high-risk patients: infiltrative tumors and long-standing seizures
Higher risk of inducing seizures
Provides information on distance to CST (1 mA = 1 mm rule) during subcortical mapping
Abbreviations: CST, corticospinal tract; mA, milliampere; N/A, not applicable.
Physiological Responses to Direct Electrical Stimulation of the Brain
DES can generate either a positive or negative physiological response depending on
the brain region being stimulated, the characteristics of the stimulating current,
the local organization of the neuronal circuit, and the use of anesthetics and antiepileptic
medications.[6 ]
[25 ]
[36 ] Positive physiological responses to stimulation include involuntary movement, vocalization,
paresthesia, and phosphenes. On the contrary, negative responses cause interruption
of tasks such as speech arrest, anomia, alexia, memory deficit, and disturbances of
other higher cognitive processes.[19 ]
[37 ]
[38 ] These responses are used to establish a map of functionally essential areas of the
cortex and subcortical tracts to guide resection. This terminology should not be confused
with the terms “positive mapping” and “negative mapping,” where positive mapping refers
to the situation in which functionally important sites are identified after a positive
or negative physiological response to stimulation. On the other hand, negative mapping
is the situation where no functional sites are identified in the mapped area, which
is then presumed noneloquent.[38 ]
[39 ]
[40 ]
A false negative is the nonidentification of a critical eloquent brain region, potentially
leading to resection and permanent postoperative neurological deficits. This may be
secondary to inadequate stimulation settings, inappropriate neurophysiological tests
(for the area being resected), or stimulation during a postepileptic refractory phase.[19 ] The possibility of false negatives should be considered after negative mapping before
initiating resection. Nonetheless, negative mapping is safe with strict adherence
to established stimulation protocols allowing tailored craniotomies.[11 ]
[38 ]
[39 ]
[40 ] False negatives can also be minimized by optimizing the intraoperative tasks selected
based on preoperative functional assessment combined with functional imaging.[19 ]
On the other hand, false positive is the mischaracterization of a noneloquent region
as eloquent, potentially leading to premature cessation of resection. Several factors
may cause this, including patient fatigue due to the long duration of functional evaluation
(typically 2 hours or more), stimulation-induced partial seizures, axonal propagation
of stimulation to remote structures, or identification of eloquent structures that
could be functionally compensated following resection owing to brain plasticity mechanisms.
False positives may be inherent in DES, primarily through the activation of remote
structures, and should be considered a possibility during intraoperative decision-making
following positive stimulation.[19 ] If false positives are caused by patient fatigue, repeat tests may be performed
after a period of rest, and by limiting the duration of assessment. The use of intraoperative
electrocorticography recording to detect after discharges (ADs) may reduce false positives
from a stimulation-induced partial seizure. ADs are rhythmic transient epileptiform
activity induced by DES that persists after the termination of the stimulus. AD results
from stimulation of hyperexcitable tissue, which may overlap with an epileptogenic
focus.[41 ] AD is also used to select the lowest appropriate stimulus intensity to reduce the
incidence of intraoperative seizure.[38 ]
[41 ] The mapping threshold and AD thresholds may vary between individuals and between
different brain regions in one individual.[36 ]
Neurophysiological Tests during Intraoperative Stimulation Mapping
Neurophysiological Tests during Intraoperative Stimulation Mapping
Language and motor mapping are the two main neurophysiological modalities tested during
ISM-guided resection of the eloquent brain regions. Tasks chosen depend on the location
of the lesion and the surgical resection planned.[29 ]
[30 ] Language mapping is commonly employed during epilepsy surgery as most epileptogenic
lesions are near language areas, and this requires an awake patient for speech assessment
intraoperatively. In the case of a brain tumor within or near eloquent regions, a
combination of motor and speech mapping may be used depending on the tumor site, thus
requiring an awake patient during ISM-guided resection. However, if only motor mapping
is planned for a perirolandic tumor, this may be done under GA. Recently, two small
studies looked at the feasibility of mapping language areas under GA. A case series
examined the feasibility of mapping the motor speech area using electromyography (EMG)
recordings of the laryngeal muscles.[42 ] While another study found that the preservation of language was possible via cortico-cortical
evoked potential mapping of the arcuate fasciculus under GA.[43 ]
Language Mapping
Most patients planned for intraoperative speech mapping would have a preoperative
language assessment performed by a neuropsychologist or speech therapist to assess
their baseline language production, comprehension, and language deficits. These tests
vary by institution; some examples are the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE),
Boston Naming Test (BNT), Aachen Aphasia Test, and the Dutch Linguistic Intraoperative
Protocol (DuLIP).[4 ]
[44 ]
[45 ]
[46 ] Intraoperative tasks include picture naming, counting, text reading, sentence completion,
word repetition, spelling, text writing, and language syntax.[4 ]
[39 ] Tasks chosen depend on the location of the lesion or tumor, the patient's baseline
performance, and local institutional protocol.[30 ] The most common language task is picture naming, where the patient is asked to begin
each answer with the phrase “This is a …” before naming the object in the picture shown to them to separate pure aphasia from
anomia. Preoperative evaluation also serves the purpose of training patients with
the stimulus material. For example, in the picture naming task, pictures that patients
do not recognize are removed from intraoperative testing.[47 ]
There is limited literature regarding assessment of bilingual and multilingual patients
intraoperatively. A recent systematic review reported seven studies of which cortical
mapping was performed in multilingual patients with brain tumor. Heterogeneity was
noted in the location and number of language areas identified intraoperatively.[48 ] A multilingual picture naming test (MULTIMAP) was recently developed for mapping
of eloquent brain regions intraoperatively to address the previous shortcomings of
lack of standard tests for different languages.[49 ]
During cortical mapping, the stimulation intensity is started at 2 mA and progressively
increased by 0.5 mA to a maximum of 6 mA or 1 mA below which evokes an AD potential.
Each site is stimulated at least three times and is considered a positive site when
speech arrest, anomia, or alexia occur during at least 2 out of 3 stimulation trials.[38 ]
[39 ] Subcortical language tracts are also mapped during surgical resection in awake patients
with similar stimulation paradigms.[12 ] Other cognitive functions that may be tested in awake patients during surgery include
visuospatial functions, sensory modalities, memory, calculation, and other higher
cognitive tasks. However, protocols for these other modalities are less well-established
than language testing.[50 ]
[51 ]
[52 ]
Traditionally, the LF stimulation paradigm was used for language mapping using a bipolar
probe. More recently, HF stimulation through a monopolar probe has been shown to be
a safe and effective technique for language mapping in awake patients.[53 ]
[54 ] The distance between the resection margin and the closest positive language site
strongly predicts the evolution of postoperative language deficits, making language
mapping an essential tool to help preserve language functions.[55 ]
Motor Mapping
Most patients requiring intraoperative motor mapping are for resections of tumors
or lesions within or adjacent to the motor cortex (also known as the Rolandic cortex)
or motor pathways (corticospinal tract, CST).[11 ]
[34 ]
[56 ]
[57 ]
[58 ]
[59 ]
[60 ]
[61 ]
[62 ]
[63 ] Several other brain regions also play a crucial role in modulating motor responses;
these are the premotor region and the supplementary motor area.[64 ]
[65 ] Cortical or subcortical DES of the motor area would produce involuntary overt movement
or muscle activity detected by EMG. The use of EMG in asleep conditions also allows
the detection of impending seizures.[31 ]
[66 ]
Both stimulation paradigms can be used for cortical and subcortical motor mapping;
LF stimulation with a bipolar probe, or HF stimulation with a monopolar probe.[67 ]
[68 ] However, both paradigms have distinct differences under awake and asleep conditions
(refer [Table 1 ]).[28 ]
[29 ] The HF stimulation technique triggers a time-locked compound motor action potential
response with measurable amplitudes and latencies, in contrast to the sustained muscle
contraction caused by classical LF stimulation.[33 ] HF stimulation induces motor evoked potentials (MEP) when applied over the primary
motor cortex or subcortically, and the use of continuous EMG recording ([Fig. 3 ]) allows the use of lower stimulation intensities with increased sensitivity to identify
motor pathways compared with visual inspection of overt movement, and thus favorable
for use under GA.[31 ]
[66 ]
[69 ]
[70 ] LF stimulation paradigm is ineffective during cortical and subcortical mapping under
asleep conditions in patients with infiltrative tumors, long history of seizures,
and is prone to cause seizures. Thus, LF is not the preferred paradigm for this subset
of patients for motor mapping under GA.[31 ] Monopolar HF stimulation has been associated with a lower incidence of intraoperative
seizures.[33 ]
[53 ]
[71 ] Additionally, patients with epilepsy mapped with HF stimulation under GA do not
suffer from more stimulation-induced seizures than nonepileptic patients.[72 ] With monopolar HF stimulation, anodal stimulation is best used on the cortical surface,
while cathodal stimulation is optimal in subcortical tissue.[59 ]
[70 ]
Fig. 3 Intraoperative direct electrical stimulation (DES) during asleep motor mapping: Electromyographic
(EMG) recording of evoked motor evoked potential (MEP) during DES in hands and legs
with high-frequency (HF) stimulation paradigm (train of 5, 500 Hz, 15 mA). FDI, first
dorsal interosseous muscle.
Furthermore, monopolar HF subcortical MEP stimulation allows determination of the
distance to the CST with a simple rule that 1 mA of stimulation intensity to elicit
an MEP response resembles a 1-mm distance to the CST.[56 ]
[59 ] Different motor thresholds (MTs) have been suggested to define the limits of resection,
with subcortical MT of 3 mA generally considered safe, with a chance of inducing a
permanent deficit of less than 2%.[58 ]
[61 ]
[73 ] In addition, continuous dynamic mapping of the motor tracts can be performed during
tumor resection by integrating the monopolar stimulator into the suction tip ([Fig. 2 ]) and gradually reducing the current intensity as resection becomes closer to the
CST.[58 ] Cortical and subcortical DES motor mapping may also be combined with direct cortical
MEP monitoring generated using a subdural electrode strip over the motor cortex, and
transcranial MEP, recently termed “triple motor mapping.” This combination method
may improve the safety of resection by alerting the surgeon of proximity to the CST
before irreversible changes in MEP occur.[34 ]
[57 ]
[73 ]
[74 ]
[75 ]
[76 ] Somatosensory evoked potential phase reversal is another technique where the central
sulcus is identified for localization of the primary motor cortex during surgery to
guide mapping.[77 ]
[78 ]
Since the introduction of the HF paradigm for direct cortical motor mapping by Taniguchi
et al in 1993,[9 ] more resections involving perirolandic tumors have been performed under GA with
comparable outcomes to AC.[79 ]
[80 ] However, Rossi et al reported that a significant portion of patients undergoing
glioma resection under GA developed hand apraxia after surgery.[81 ] This led to the development of more advanced motor tasks that can be evaluated during
AC. Tasks to assess the nonprimary motor areas and sensory-motor integration are the
repetitive arm flexion-extension movement[82 ]
[83 ] and the hand-manipulation task.[52 ]
[81 ]
[83 ]
[84 ]
Importance of Intraoperative Mapping in Neurosurgery
Importance of Intraoperative Mapping in Neurosurgery
Variability of Eloquent Area Localization
Preoperative functional mapping is helpful in defining structures at risk of intraoperative
damage when planning surgical resection of an intracranial lesion[85 ] using techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging,[86 ]
[87 ] diffusion tensor imaging,[88 ] positron emission tomography,[87 ] transcranial magnetic stimulation,[89 ] and magnetoencephalography.[90 ]
[91 ] Many studies have demonstrated complex neural connectivity and interindividual anatomical
and functional variability in the sensory and motor representation of healthy individuals
and those with brain lesions.[4 ]
[5 ]
[36 ]
[92 ]
[93 ]
[94 ]
[95 ] For example, language sites identified with ISM are often smaller in area than the
classically defined Broca and Wernicke areas but are very variable in localization.[3 ] Even without an underlying identifiable anatomic lesion, patients with epilepsy
show a wider distribution of language areas on language mapping, extending well beyond
the classic Broca and Wernicke areas.[96 ] This variability poses a challenge for neurosurgeons planning resection of tumors
adjacent to presumed eloquent brain, since anatomical landmarks alone may not be sufficient
to determine the eloquence of a specific brain region.
Furthermore, brain shift during surgery either from physical factors (related to navigation
hardware), surgical factors (use of retractors, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue loss
during surgery), or biological factors (tumor type or location, and use of mannitol
to reduce intracranial pressure) may render imaging-guided mapping less effective
for intraoperative surgical resection.[97 ] Brain tumor progression also leads to functional reorganization over time, which
may complicate resection guided by imaging only.[98 ]
[99 ]
[100 ]
[101 ]
[102 ] Thus, ISM combined with preoperative functional neuroimaging increases the precision
of identifying critical cortical and subcortical structures for preservation during
surgery.[88 ]
[103 ]
[104 ]
[105 ]
[106 ]
[107 ]
Outcome Evidence for Intraoperative Stimulation Mapping
Previous retrospective studies have shown that ISM-guided resection has been associated
with a greater extent of resection (EOR), less delayed neurological deficits,[40 ]
[60 ]
[108 ] and extended survival[109 ] compared with resection under GA without ISM. In glioma surgery, a greater EOR correlates
with improved patient outcomes, including survival in low-grade and high-grade tumors.[110 ]
[111 ]
[112 ]
[113 ]
[114 ]
[115 ]
[116 ]
[117 ]
[118 ] Gross total resection (GTR) of gliomas compared with subtotal resection is associated
with improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and seizure control.[119 ]
[120 ]
The GLIOMAP study, the first international multicenter propensity-matched cohort study,
reported similar results that AC with ISM resulted in fewer late neurological deficits
(26% vs. 41%), longer overall survival (17 vs. 14 months), and longer median progression-free
survival (9 vs. 7.3 months).[121 ] Two recent meta-analyses concluded that ISM use during glioma surgery was associated
with a higher rate of GTR, longer median overall survival, lower postoperative complications,[122 ] and shorter hospital stay.[123 ]
Conclusion
ISM is the standard of care to guide the resection of lesions within or adjacent to
eloquent brain tissue. Despite technological advancements in functional neuroimaging,
the wide anatomo-functional variability and intraoperative brain shifts confound the
precision of real-time resection of the eloquent regions. ISM-guided resection has
been proven to result in better seizure control, reduced postoperative deficits, and
improved survival. LF and HF are the two stimulation paradigms utilized for DES, with
distinct differences in their physical properties and outcomes during awake and asleep
conditions. Language and motor are the two primary neurophysiological modalities assessed
intraoperatively in neuro-oncological and epilepsy surgery. Understanding these technical
aspects of ISM and the neurophysiological tests employed enables the anesthesiologist
to provide an anesthetic that may complement the procedure planned.