Thalamocortical tract identification during glioma resection surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification of thalamocortical tracts (TCT) using bipolar subcortical recording and monopolar subcortical stimulation in combination with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography to estimate distance from TCT during parietal lobe glioma resection surgery under general anaesthetic
IRAS ID
328166
Contact name
Stuart J Lodwick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Treatment of brain tumours can include an operation to try and remove them with maximal removal associated with the best outcomes in terms of how long patients live following the operation. However, this is not without risk especially if the tumour is in or near important parts of the brain involved in control of movement and how we feel things. Damaging the brain or these pathways may result in a poor outcome for the patient as they may not be able to move their limbs of feel things properly which would significantly impact their quality of life. Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) and mapping uses electrical impulses to activate and monitor these pathways during the operation. This provides the surgeon with important information about these pathways to reduce the risk of damage and therefore improve outcomes for patients. Historically, IONM has concentrated more on identifying and protecting the pathways associated with movement. However, patients need to feel and be aware of limb positions to ensure normal movement. This study aims to test a technique to identify deeper pathways within the brain that are involved in touch. The study will also use a mild electrical stimulus to activate these deeper pathways to look for a relationship between the stimulus level and distance from the pathway and how these influence the outcome of the surgery regarding the amount of tumour that is removed and how the patient is following the operation. It will help to find important areas and pathways that should be protected and show what is tumour that can be carefully and safely removed helping get the best results for patients whilst reducing risks.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0293
Date of REC Opinion
22 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion