Presurgical fMRI Affecting the Extent of Resection and Outcome of the Supratentorial Gliomas; a Single-center Experience From a Developing Country

Abstract BackgroundFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is one of the available non-invasive imaging to map the different brain areas, which has been used during the current years. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of fMRI on decision-making, the extent of resection, and the outcome of the patients with supratentorial gliomas.MethodsThis prospective study conducted from 2014 through 2017 to investigate how presurgical fMRI can help the neurosurgeon during glioma surgery. Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected, and standard fMRI protocol was used for each patient.Results Forty-one patients with supratentorial gliomas met inclusion criteria, including 29 males and 12 females ranging in age from 21 to 72. Our results showed a significant association between eloquent areas tumor and the EOR. Eight out of 41 (19.5%) experienced higher EOR than what the neurosurgeon expected after adjusting the fMRI findings with the intraoperative situation. Among these patients, postoperative KPS and motor indices reflected dropped levels accompanied by an instant language index level in the short-term period, whereas all indices improved after long-term follow-up. There was a significant association between increasing EOR and all indices in the 1-year follow-up.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we postulate that preoperative fMRI should be considered preoperatively, especially in the eloquent areas gliomas disregarding tumor grade. Moreover, it can lead to a positive outcome in supratentorial gliomas via giving useful data about the relation of the tumor and vital centers of the brain, although it may result in an unfavorable short-term outcome.