Cortical stimulation mapping
Cortical Stimulation Mapping[edit | edit source]
Cortical stimulation mapping is a neurosurgical technique used to identify functional areas of the cerebral cortex during brain surgery. This procedure is crucial for preserving critical brain functions while removing pathological tissues, such as tumors or epileptic foci.
Purpose[edit | edit source]
Cortical stimulation mapping is primarily used to avoid postoperative deficits by identifying and preserving areas responsible for essential functions such as motor control, language, and sensation. It is particularly important in surgeries involving the eloquent cortex, which includes regions like the primary motor cortex, primary sensory cortex, and Broca's area.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure involves applying electrical stimulation to the surface of the brain while the patient is awake. This allows the surgeon to observe the effects of stimulation on the patient's abilities, such as movement or speech. The patient may be asked to perform specific tasks, such as counting or moving a limb, to help identify functional areas.
Intraoperative Mapping[edit | edit source]
During surgery, a grid of electrodes is placed on the exposed cortical surface. The surgeon then stimulates different areas while monitoring the patient's responses. This helps delineate the boundaries of functional regions, allowing the surgeon to avoid damaging these areas during resection.
Awake Craniotomy[edit | edit source]
In some cases, an awake craniotomy is performed, where the patient is conscious and responsive during the mapping process. This approach provides real-time feedback and is particularly useful for mapping language areas.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Cortical stimulation mapping is used in various neurosurgical procedures, including:
- Resection of brain tumors
- Treatment of epilepsy
- Surgery for arteriovenous malformations
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While cortical stimulation mapping is a powerful tool, it has limitations. The technique requires patient cooperation and may not be feasible in all cases. Additionally, the mapping is limited to the cortical surface and may not identify deeper functional areas.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD