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

UNLABELLED: 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.

IMPLICATIONS: 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.