Awake minimally invasive parafascicular approach to a language eloquent brain tumour-surgical video

Abstract

Deep-seated brain tumours are surgically challenging to access. When planning approaches to these lesions, it is important to take into account eloquent cortical areas, grey matter nuclei, and subcortical white matter tracts. Traditionally, access to deep-seated lesions would require brain retraction; however, this is associated with secondary brain damage, which may impair neurological function. A trans-sulcal minimally invasive parafascicular approach allows gentle splitting of brain fibres and is thought to splay rather than sever white matter tracts. This is particularly important when approaching medially located, language-eloquent tumours, which lack brain surface expression. This video describes a minimally invasive approach to a deep-seated, language-eloquent brain tumour. We utilized preoperative cortical and subcortical planning to define a safe surgical corridor. We then demonstrate using intraoperative neuro-monitoring and mapping of the motor and language functions to define the boundaries of surgical resection. We find trans-sulcal minimally invasive parafascicular approach to be a safe and effective technique when approaching language-eloquent lesions medial to the main language subcortical networks.