Feasibility of Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials and Electromyography during MRI-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Glioblastoma

Abstract

Background: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is routinely used during neurosurgical procedures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is increasingly being used in patients with various brain lesions. Use of IONM (transcranial motor evoked potential [TcMEP] and electromyography [EMG]) during LITT of a brain lesion has not been described previously.

Methods: In this report, we describe a 70-year-old man who presented with motor weakness in whom imaging revealed a left thalamic lesion. Due to the difficulty in accessing the lesion and proximity to the motor tracts, patient was offered MRI-guided LITT using TcMEP and EMG.

Results: The patient underwent satisfactory ablation of the lesion with successful recording of the TcMEP and EMG. Technical nuances related to the set-up and procedure is discussed in this report. No procedure-related complications were encountered.

Conclusions: We describe the first report of safety and feasibility of TcMEP and EMG during MRI-guided LITT for left thalamic glioblasatoma. This report paves the way for further prospective investigations regarding the utility of this technique for eloquent brain tumors.

Keywords: Feasibility; Glioblastoma; LITT; Transcranial motor evoked potentials.