note

• nTMS has been used to help map out the cortex before brain surgery. using nTMS to stimulate areas around the masses to be removed, allows doctors to identify eloquent (functionally important) areas so as to reduce likelihood of causing functional impairments

• i think the point here is that when removing brain tumors, the surgeons have to balance getting the tumor out with preserving as much function-critical tissue as possible. using TMS before hand could help this by giving an actual map of what areas are responsible for function.

Data from several studies have demonstrated clear benefit of surgical resection and maximal cytoreduction of gliomas (Stummer and Kamp, 2009). However when tumors are in close vicinity of eloquent cortical areas, preservation of cerebral function needs to be considered in connection with maximizing the resection (Duffau, 2010), by balancing against the risk of causing or increasing neurological symptoms. (pdf)

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