Awake far lateral craniotomy for resection of foramen magnum meningioma in a patient with tenuous motor and somatosensory evoked potentials
Publication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 7 July 2011Amy R., deIpolyi , Seunggu J., Han , Michael E., Sughrue , Lawrence, Litt , Andrew T., ParsaWe report a patient with an infratentorial lesion resected under a far-lateral approach during awake craniotomy to optimize intraoperative monitoring. A 72-year-old man presented with falls, difficulty walking, and lower extremity weakness. MRI revealed a 2.2 by 2.3 by 2.8cm mass at the right cervicomedullary junction, with mass effect on the adjacent spinal cord. During two attempts during surgical positioning under general anesthesia, motor evoked potentials were lost. Each time the operation was aborted. During the third operation, the patient underwent monitored, light anaesthesia and was awakened periodically to confirm conscious motor function. The operation proceeded without complication, and postoperatively…
