Brain Tumor Resection

Study Notes

A surgical procedure to remove a tumor from the brain
Goal: to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving brain function and minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue

Benign tumors: non-cancerous, slow-growing, and less likely to recur
Malignant tumors: cancerous, fast-growing, and more likely to recur
Primary brain tumors: originate in the brain (e.g., glioblastoma, medulloblastoma)
Metastatic brain tumors: originate from other parts of the body and spread to the brain (e.g., lung, breast, colon cancer)

Pre-operative planning:
- Imaging studies (MRI, CT scans) to locate and define the tumor
- Neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive function
Surgery:
- Craniotomy: opening the skull to access the tumor
- Tumor removal: using a combination of surgical instruments and techniques (e.g., suction, cautery, ultrasound)
- Closure: repairing the skull and closing the incision
Post-operative care:
- Monitoring for complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, seizures)
- Managing pain and discomfort
- Rehabilitation to regain lost function and mobility

Open craniotomy: traditional surgical approach with a large incision
Minimally invasive craniotomy: smaller incision, less tissue damage, and faster recovery
Awake craniotomy: patient is awake during surgery to monitor brain function and minimize damage
Image-guided surgery: using intraoperative imaging to guide tumor removal

Surgical risks: bleeding, infection, seizures, stroke, and brain edema
Post-operative complications: cognitive impairment, speech and language difficulties, and motor weakness
Recurrence: tumor regrowth or new tumor formation

Neuronavigation: using computer-assisted navigation to enhance surgical accuracy
Intraoperative imaging: real-time imaging during surgery to guide tumor removal
Robot-assisted surgery: using robotic systems to enhance precision and dexterity

Brain tumor resection is a surgical procedure to remove a tumor from the brain
The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving brain function and minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue

Benign tumors: non-cancerous, slow-growing, and less likely to recur
Malignant tumors: cancerous, fast-growing, and more likely to recur
Primary brain tumors: originate in the brain (e.g., glioblastoma, medulloblastoma)
Metastatic brain tumors: originate from other parts of the body and spread to the brain (e.g., lung, breast, colon cancer)

Pre-operative planning: involves imaging studies (MRI, CT scans) to locate and define the tumor, and neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive function
Surgery: involves craniotomy, tumor removal using surgical instruments and techniques, and closure
Post-operative care: involves monitoring for complications, managing pain and discomfort, and rehabilitation to regain lost function and mobility

Open craniotomy: traditional surgical approach with a large incision
Minimally invasive craniotomy: smaller incision, less tissue damage, and faster recovery
Awake craniotomy: patient is awake during surgery to monitor brain function and minimize damage
Image-guided surgery: using intraoperative imaging to guide tumor removal

Surgical risks: bleeding, infection, seizures, stroke, and brain edema
Post-operative complications: cognitive impairment, speech and language difficulties, and motor weakness
Recurrence: tumor regrowth or new tumor formation

Neuronavigation: using computer-assisted navigation to enhance surgical accuracy
Intraoperative imaging: real-time imaging during surgery to guide tumor removal
Robot-assisted surgery: using robotic systems to enhance precision and dexterity