Abstract

Predictors and consequences of intra-operative seizure during awake craniotomy and brain mapping for resection of language-related eloquent region gliomas

Author(s): Ahmad Pour-Rashidi

Awake craniotomy (AC) is standard of care for lesions of eloquent brain areas. One important complication during AC is occurrence of intraoperative seizure (IOS), reported to occur among 3.4-20% of the patients. In this study, we report our experience with IOS during AC for resection of gliomas of the language eloquent regions and evaluate the predisposing factors and consequences. Patients who underwent AC for language related regions of the dominant hemisphere from August 2018 to February 2020 were enrolled. The rate of IOS during AC and relationship between predisposing factors and IOS were evaluated. 45 patients were enrolled (mean age: 44.4 ±12.5 years). Among 6 patients with IOS (13.3%), one needed conversion to general anesthesia (GA) due to repeated seizures; while in the remaining 5, AC accomplished successfully despite one seizure attack in the awake phase. Tumor location (especially premotor cortex lesions, p= 0.02, OR:12.0, CI: 1.20-119.91), higher tumor volume (p= 0.008, OR: 1.9, CI:1.06-1.12) and a positive brain mapping during surgery (p= 0.000, OR: 3.4, CI: 1.47-12.35) were significantly linked with IOS. Occurrence of IOS was associated with a longer ICU stay after surgery and worse immediate neurological outcome, but had no impact on the late neurological status. IOS can usually be managed during AC without need to converting to GA. Those with larger tumors, frontal premotor lesions and positive brain mapping are susceptible to IOS. Early neurological deterioration observed after IOS, seems to be transient with no major long-term consequence on the neurological outcome.