Abstract:
In operations of intramedullary tumors it is a challenge to combine a total resection of the tumor and the minimisation of postoperative neurological deficits. The aim of this dissertation was to find an intraoperative electrophysiolocical parameter, that predicts the neurological outcome of patients with intramedullary tumors.
The electrophysiological data show, that no electrophysiological measurement alone can serve as a reliable predictor for the neurological outcome, so that the multimodal technique should stay gold standard.
The intraoperative monitoring seems to have a positive effect on the neurological outcome, whereas the d-wave shows a beneficial effect only in combination with MEPs (motor evoked potentials) and SEPs (sensory evoked potentials).
A comparison between the four chosen examination times (preoperative, at discharge, follw-up 1 and 2) shows, that a change in the score values (McCormick Scale) range between +/- 1 scale point. Furthermore, the score values at discharge show in the course a tendency of regeneration, so that an early operation time seems advisable, to keep or regain a good neurological outcome.
In addition, a new clinical scale (TüScale for intramedullary tumors) was established, that has equal qualities in comparison to the McCormik Scale and the CSS (clinical scoring system), but it shows benefits with expressing the qualitiy „pain“ and also with retrospectively collected data.
Finally, the prediction of the neurological outcome after a surgery of intramedullary tumors stays critical, but in absence of better alternatives, the intraoperative electrophysiological parameters and among these the d-wave, are actually the most effective method of minimising neurological deficits.