J Neurosurg 145:179–189, 2026
This clinical study evaluates intraoperative predictors of postoperative language decline in awake resections of language-eloquent high-grade gliomas using diffusion tractography, 5-ALA, and subcortical stimulation with standardized language testing. It reports rates of transient and permanent deficits, correlates specific white matter tracts (IFOF, ILF, AF/SLF) with domain-specific impairments, and presents stimulation thresholds predictive of decline.
The paper emphasizes that preoperative deficits and positive stimulation of multiple tracts increase risk of lasting language impairment, while most single-tract-related declines tend to recover by three months; proposed SCS amplitude cutoffs are offered as practical guidance to balance maximal resection and language preservation.
Objective Identify intraoperative predictors of postoperative language decline and predictors of temporal language recovery after awake resection of language-eloquent high-grade glioma (HGG).
Methods Single-center cohort (Jan 2017–Nov 2024) undergoing awake craniotomy with diffusion tractography, 5-ALA, subcortical stimulation (SCS), and intraoperative language testing; language outcomes assessed at 48 hours, 2 weeks, and 3 months.
Outcomes New or worsened postoperative language deficit occurred in 53.1% (69/130) and was permanent (>3 months) in 9.2% (12/130).
Key intraoperative predictor (domain-specific) Clinical deterioration during awake testing predicted short-term decline in semantic processing (IFOF) (RR 3.47), reading (ILF) (RR 21.4), and auditory naming/repetition (AF/SLF) (RR 6.98).
Permanent-deficit risk factors Higher risk of persistent language decline was associated with preoperative speech deficit (RR 2.65), intraoperative ILF-related reading deterioration (RR 8.92), and positive SCS of multiple language tracts.
Tract sensitivity & recovery Posterior ILF–related reading function showed the greatest sensitivity to decline and the lowest propensity for recovery; all observed reading deficits were linked to tumors near the posterior ILF.
SCS threshold cutoffs ROC/Youden-derived SCS amplitudes predictive of postoperative deficits were reported per tract: IFOF 5.5 mA (48h/2w), 4.5 mA (3m); ILF (reading) 7.0 mA (48h/2w), 4.5 mA (3m); AF/SLF 5.5 mA (48h/2w), 2.5 mA (3m).
Multiple-tract involvement At 3 months, deficits occurred in 7.4% (5/68) with single-tract positive SCS versus 75.0% (9/12) with two tracts; both patients with all three tracts stimulated had persistent deficits beyond 3 months.
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