Perioperative Challenges During Craniotomy for Space-Occupying Brain Lesions

Abstract

Brain tumors are classified as benign, malignant, or metastatic and account for 85–95% of all central nervous system masses. Surgery is the main treatment and is performed with the goals of diagnosis, debulking the mass, curative resection, and/or improvement of remaining quality of life. Complications associated with treatment occur during preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Goals of anesthesia management are discussed. The effects of anesthetics on intracranial pressure, brain relaxation, and neurophysiologic monitoring are described. Crisis recognition and management are discussed in the perioperative patient with a space-occupying brain lesion.