Intrinsic brainstem tumor treatment

Operative management of intrinsic brainstem tumors remains challenging despite advances in electrophysiological monitoring, neuroimaging, and neuroanatomical knowledge. Surgical intervention in this region requires detailed knowledge of adjacent critical white matter tracts, brainstem nuclei, brainstem vessels, and risks associated with each surgical approach.

Midline Pontine Splitting Approach

The aim of Mukherjee et al. was to systematically verify internal anatomy associated with each brainstem safe entry zones (BSEZ) via neuroimaging modalities commonly used in pre-operative planning, namely high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).

see Brainstem safe entry zones.