Contemporary intraoperative visualization for GBM with use of exoscope, 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery and tractography

Neurosurg Focus Video. 2022 Jan 1;6(1):V5. doi: 10.3171/2021.10.FOCVID21174. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Maximal safe resection is the primary goal of glioma surgery. By incorporating improved intraoperative visualization with the 3D exoscope combined with 5-ALA fluorescence, in addition to neuronavigation and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fiber tracking, the safety of resection of tumors in eloquent brain regions can be maximized. This video highlights some of the various intraoperative adjuncts used in brain tumor surgery for high-grade glioma. In this case, the authors highlight the resection of a left posterior temporal lobe high-grade glioma in a 33-year-old patient, who initially presented with seizures, word-finding difficulty, and right-sided weakness. They demonstrate the multiple surgical adjuncts used both before and during surgical resection, and how multiple adjuncts can be effectively orchestrated to make surgery in eloquent brain areas safer for patients. Patient consent was obtained for publication. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.10.FOCVID21174.

Keywords: 5-ALA; Raman spectroscopy; exoscope; fluorescence-guided surgery; high-grade glioma; neuronavigation.