Pericollicular approaches to the rhomboid fossa. Part II. Neurophysiological basis

The authors describe their technique of electrophysiological mapping to assist pericollicular approaches into the rhomboid fossa.

Surgical approaches to the rhomboid fossa can be optimized by direct electrical stimulation of superficially located nuclei and fibers. Electrophysiological mapping allows identification of facial nerve fibers, nuclei of the abducent and hypoglossal nerves, motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, and the ambiguous nucleus. Stimulation at the surface of the rhomboid fossa performed using the threshold technique allows localization above the area that is located closest to the surface. Simultaneous bilateral electromyographic (EMG) recordings from cranial motor nerves obtained during stimulation document the selectivity of evoked EMG responses. With respect to stimulation parameters and based on morphometric measurements, the site of stimulation can be assumed to be the postsynaptic fibers at the axonal cone. Strict limitation to 10 Hz with a maximum stimulation intensity not exceeding 2 mA can be considered safe. Direct side effects of electrical stimulation were not observed.

Electrical stimulation based on morphometric data obtained on superficial brainstem anatomy defines two safe paramedian supra- and infracollicular approaches to the rhomboid fossa and is particularly helpful in treating intrinsic brainstem lesions that displace normal anatomical structures.