Identification of motor pathways during tumor surgery facilitated by multichannel electromyographic recording

The goal of this study was to determine the usefulness of electromyographic (EMG) recording in locating motor pathways near the central sulcus or internal capsule during surgery.

Multichannel EMG recordings were compared with visual observation of contralateral body movement that was elicited by direct cortical or subcortical stimulation used to identify motor pathways before and during tumor resection. The EMG recordings were more sensitive than visual observation alone in identifying motor responses: in 30% of cases, responses were identified by EMG recording alone at some point during the operation and, in 9% of cases, EMG responses were the only responses observed. Additionally, EMG recordings often detected seizure activity resulting from electrical stimulation of the cortex that could not be appreciated on visual inspection. No new motor deficits were seen postoperatively in 88% of the patients in this series.

Using EMG recording in addition to motor pathway mapping results in greater sensitivity, allowing the use of lower stimulation levels and facilitating detection of stimulation-induced seizure activity.