Intramedullary
spinal cord tumor
s (IMSCT) account for about 2%&nda
sh;4% of tumor
s of the central nervou
s sy
stem. Surgical re
section continue
s to be the mo
st effective treatment modality for mo
st intramedullary tumor
s, with gro
ss total re
section leading to pre
served neurologic function and improved
survival. However,
surgical treatment i
s often difficult and carrie
s significant ri
sk of po
stoperative neurologic complication
s. Intraoperative neuromonitoring ha
s been
shown to be of clinical importance in the
surgical re
section of IMSCT. The main monitoring modalitie
s include
somato
sen
sory evoked potential
s, tran
scranial motor evoked potential
s via limb mu
scle
s or
spinal epidural
space (D-wave
s), and dor
sal column mapping. The
se monitoring modalitie
s have been
shown to inform
surgeon
s intraoperatively and in many ca
se
s, have led to alteration
s in operative deci
sion.
sSec_2">Methods
spara0015">We reviewed the literature on the usefulness of intraoperative neuromonitoring for intramedullary spinal tumor resection and its role in predicting postoperative neurologic deficits. A MEDLINE search was performed (2000–2015) and 13 studies were reviewed. Detailed information and data from the selected articles were assessed and compiled. Data were extracted showing the role of monitoring in outcomes of surgery.
sSec_3">Conclusions
spara0020">By using intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials, transcranial motor evoked potentials, D-waves, and dorsal column mapping, spinal injury could be prevented in most cases, thereby improving postoperative neurologic functioning and outcome in patients undergoing surgery for IMSCT.