Minimally Invasive Resection of Brain Metastases

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive resection of brain metastases aims to maximize resection while minimizing brain trauma. METHODS: Patients with 1 or more metastases that underwent resection following neuro-oncology multidisciplinary meeting discussion from September 2014 to October 2018, with pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, were included. All patients including posterior fossa metastases or multiple metastases were positioned supine. Hair was not shaved. Volumetric post-contrast T1 magnetic resonance imaging was used for incision planning and neuronavigation. The craniotomy site was tailored to tumor depth according to keyhole principles and ranged between 2 and 5 cm. Intraoperative monitoring and awake mapping were carried out in selected cases. RESULTS: Out of 320 consecutive patients with brain metastases, 44 patients were identified as suitable for minimally invasive resection. Nine patients had no postoperative imaging and were excluded. There were 38 metastases in 35 patients. There were 18 cerebellar metastases, 10 frontal, 3 parietal, 3 occipital, 2 temporal, 1 intraventricular, and 1 basal ganglia. Median length of stay was 3 days (range, 1-24). Average tumor volume was 54.7 cm(3) (range, 10-240 cm(3)). Endoscopic assistance was used in 4 patients. Median performance status improved from 2 to 1 (range, preoperative: 0-4; postoperative: 0-2). Median survival was 14.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive resection of brain metastasis is safe and effective, and in selected cases confers advantages compared with standard techniques.