The Value of Pre- and Intraoperative Adjuncts on the Extent of Resection of Hemispheric Low-Grade Gliomas: A Retrospective Analysis

Background To achieve maximal resection with minimal risk of postoperative neurologic morbidity, different neurosurgical adjuncts are being used during low-grade glioma (LGG) surgery. Objectives To investigate the effect of pre- and intraoperative adjuncts on the extent of resection (EOR) of hemispheric LGGs. Methods Medical records were reviewed to identify patients of any sex, ≥ 18 years of age, who underwent LGG surgery at X Hospital between January 2005 and July 2013. Patients were divided into eight subgroups based on the use of various combinations of a neuronavigation system alone (NN), functional MRI-diffusion tensor imaging (fMRI-DTI) guided neuronavigation (FD), intraoperative MRI (MR), and direct electrical stimulation (DES). Initial and residual tumors were measured, and mean EOR was compared between groups. Results Of all 128 patients, gross total resection was achieved in 23.4%. Overall mean EOR was 81.3% ± 20.5%. Using DES in combination with fMRI-DTI (mean EOR: 86.7% ± 12.4%) on eloquent tumors improved mean EOR significantly after adjustment for potential confounders when compared with NN alone (mean EOR: 76.4% ± 25.5%; p = 0.001). Conclusions Using DES in combination with fMRI and DTI significantly improves EOR when LGGs are located in eloquent areas compared with craniotomies in which only NN was used.