The localisation of functional areas – known as mapping – plays an extremely important role in the surgical resection of brain tumours. Tumours can shift the normal anatomy, which complicates orientation in the tissue for the surgeon. Mapping helps the surgeon locate language-relevant and motor regions and then gently resect the tumour with continuous monitoring.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is an important part of brain mapping. The continuous monitoring of eloquent functions of the nervous system during a neurosurgical operation reduces the patient's risk of postoperative impairment. Simultaneously, neuromonitoring allows the function-controlled resection of a tumour during surgical procedures, making it possible to preserve the function of brain areas, connected nerve pathways, the spinal cord and peripheral nerve structures.
During surgery, functionally important areas of the brain are located using hand-held stimulation probes and their integrity can be monitored throughout the entire operation with, for example, strip electrodes. Up to 8 EMG channels are available for motor cortex mapping. Standard programs are available for this purpose: if required, settings can be changed, or individual programs can be created at any time.
A further feature is dynamic continuous subcortical mapping. It simplifies safe tumour resection >>.
Speech mapping is performed in awake craniotomies in Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas to evaluate language function.
The C2 Xplore has a special stimulation program for speech mapping and meets all the requirements of a standalone stimulator. Biphasic stimulation and the Penfield technique (50 Hz or 60 Hz) are possible.
In addition, the program has two standard stimulation configurations:
The set stimulation pulse with all its settings, and the visual and acoustic stimulation confirmation are available at any time including during brain mapping.
In addition to its matching accessories, the C2 Xplore >> offers a wide range of application possibilities in neurosurgery: