A comparison of frontal and occipital bispectral index values obtained during neurosurgical procedures.

Abstract

We placed bispectral index (BIS) sensors on the frontal and occipital areas of neurosurgical patients and compared BIS values obtained from both areas during propofol/fentanyl anesthesia. BIS showed a strong correlation between frontal and occipital montages (r(2) = 0.96; P = 0.03). It may be valid to measure BIS with the sensor on the occipital area if required during frontal neurosurgical procedures. Bispectral values were positively correlated when recorded from frontal and occipital sensors in patients undergoing clipping of unruptured cerebral aneurysms while anesthetized with propofol and fentanyl.