The effects of anaesthetic agents on cortical mapping during neurosurgical procedures involving eloquent areas of the brain
Abstract Background In patients presenting for surgical resection of lesions involving, or adjacent to, the functionally important eloquent cortical areas, it is vital to achieve complete or near complete resection of the pathology without damaging the healthy surrounding tissues.The eloquent areas that the surgeons are concerned with are the primary motor, premotor cortex, supplementary motor […]
Antiepileptic drugs for treating seizures in adults with brain tumours
Abstract Background Seizures are a common symptom of brain tumours. The mainstay of treatment for seizures is medical therapy with antiepileptic drugs. Objectives To evaluate the relative effectiveness and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs commonly used to treat seizures in adults with brain tumours. Search methods We searched CENTRAL (Issue 2 of 4, The Cochrane Library 2011), MEDLINE […]
Prophylactic cranial irradiation for preventing brain metastases in patients undergoing radical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer
Abstract Background In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there is a relatively high incidence of brain metastases following radical treatment. At present, the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in this group of patients is not clear. This is an update of the original review published in 2005. Objectives To investigate whether PCI has a […]
Antiepileptic drugs for preventing seizures in people with brain tumors
Abstract Background Seizures can present at any time before or after diagnosis of a brain tumor. The risk of seizures varies by tumor type and its location in the brain. For a long time we believed that preventing seizures with antiepileptic drugs (seizure prophylaxis) was effective and necessary, but the supporting evidence was little and […]
Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical introduction of intracranial ventricular shunts
Abstract Background Systemic antibiotics and antibiotic-impregnated shunt systems are often used to prevent shunt infection. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of either prophylactic systemic antibiotics or antibiotic-impregnated shunt systems for preventing infection in patients who underwent surgical introduction of intracranial ventricular shunts. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, […]
Chemotherapy for high-grade glioma
Abstract Background Trials on the effect of systemic chemotherapy on survival and recurrence in adults with high-grade glioma have had inconclusive results. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of such treatment on survival and recurrence. Objectives To compare radiotherapy plus chemotherapy with radiotherapy alone in completely resected adults with high-grade […]