| Popis: |
In an era that traditional localizationist models of brain organization lose ground and novel concepts of the organization of the language processing network at the level of the individual subject emerge, brain surgery can no longer rely on generic models of functional brain anatomy. Along with a range of established intraoperative neurophysiological mapping and monitoring techniques, navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) has quite recently entered clinical practice as a noninvasive means to map the language network preoperatively. This novel technique is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, achieves functional mapping in a safe and well-tolerated manner, and produces results similar to those of intraoperative direct cortical stimulation (DCS) during awake craniotomy. The recent efforts to standardize its methodology, the overall positive results from its use, and the emerging advantages over other functional mapping techniques are expected to increase its adoption in clinical practice. Its substantial contribution in surgical planning, optimization of awake mapping, patient preparation, and counseling is already acknowledged in the neurosurgical community. |
