Sodium Fluorescein for Spinal Intradural Tumors

A light in the darkness: sodium fluorescein-assisted peripheral nerve sheath tumors resection - a comprehensive systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis

The treatment for peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) is based on surgical excision and the primary goal is to improve symptoms whilst preserving neurological function. In order to improve this technique, surgeons may use sodium fluorescein (SF) to help visualize the neoplasm and, consequently, facilitate its removal. Aiming to assess the efficacy of this emerging surgical strategy, we conducted a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search on the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies without outcomes of interest, case series with less than four patients, letters, comments, technical notes, editorials, reviews, and basic research papers were excluded. The outcomes considered for this study were: the number of tumors that achieved total resection, subtotal resection, or near total resection, the approach/technique utilized by the surgeon, SF-related complications, and total complications. Five studies, with a total of 175 individuals, were included in our survey. Notably, 70% of the neoplasms presented by the patients were schwannomas. Considering extracranial lesions, we found a proportion of 96% (95% CI: 88 - 100%) in total resection, 0% (95% CI: 0-1%) in near total resection, and 4% (95% CI: 0-12%) in subtotal resection, all linked to an amount of 185 analyzed PNSTs. Furthermore, a proportion of 1% (95% CI: 0 - 2%) in SF-related complications was spotted among 183 patients. Finally, total complications analysis accounted for 11% (95% CI: 0 - 25%) among 183 individuals. We concluded that SF-assisted resection of PNSTs is a suitable and relatively safe technique, linked to minimum complications, of which the majority was not associated with the chemical compound itself. Future research is necessary to increase the number of patients available in the current literature and, therefore, enhance future analyses.

[Laser fluorescence spectroscopy and navigation in surgical treatment of spinal tumors: a systematic review]

The main problem in microsurgical resection of spinal cord tumors is excessive surgical aggression. The last one often leads to unsatisfactory clinical and neurological outcomes. Laser fluorescence spectroscopy is a modern neurosurgical approach to distinguish tumor boundaries even if standard visible fluorescence techniques are ineffective.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of laser fluorescence spectroscopy alone or in combination with visual 5-ALA fluorescence for improvement of safety and quality of resection, as well as intraoperative diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Searching for literature data was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA recommendations. The authors reviewed articles independently of each other. These data were systematized.

RESULTS

Laser fluorescence spectroscopy is valuable to identify fragments of intramedullary ependyomas in 86% of cases, while visual fluorescence only in 81% of cases. Advisability of this technique for low-grade astrocytomas is still unclear and requires further study. Its effectiveness is 87.5% for extramedullary meningiomas. Neuromas do not accumulate 5-ALA. In addition, this method can be used to determine the boundaries of intradural metastatic lesions.

CONCLUSION

5-ALA fluorescence is a safe and useful intraoperative method for identifying tumor tissue and resection margins in patients with intramedullary or infiltrative extramedullary spinal cord tumors. Visual fluorescence combined with laser spectroscopy is a perspective method for intraoperative visualization of tumor remnants. This approach can improve safety and postoperative outcomes while maintaining resection quality.

Fluorescence-guided resection of intradural spinal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Intradural spinal tumors present significant challenges due to involvement of critical motor and sensory tracts. Achieving maximal resection while preserving functional tissue is therefore crucial. Fluorescence-guided surgery aims to improve resection accuracy and is well studied for brain tumors, but its efficacy has not been fully assessed for spinal tumors. This meta-analysis aims to delineate the efficacy of fluorescence guidance in intradural spinal tumor resection. The authors performed a systematic review in four databases. We included studies that have utilized fluorescence agents, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or sodium fluorescein, for the resection of intradural spinal tumors. A meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A total of 12 studies involving 552 patients undergoing fluorescence-guided intradural spinal tumor resection were included. Meningiomas demonstrated a 98% fluorescence rate and were associated with a homogenous florescence pattern; however, astrocytomas had variable fluorescence rate with pooled proportion of 70%. There was no significant difference in gross total resection (GTR) rates between fluorescein and 5-ALA (94% vs 84%, p = .22). Pre-operative contrast enhancement was significantly associated with intraoperative fluorescence with fluorescein. Intramedullary tumors with positive intraoperative fluorescence were significantly associated with higher GTR rates (96% vs 73%, p = .03). Utilizing fluorescence guidance during intradural spinal tumor resection holds promise of improving intraoperative visualization for specific intradural spinal tumors. Meningiomas and ependymomas have the highest fluorescence rates especially with sodium fluorescein; on the other hand, astrocytomas have variable fluorescence rates with no superiority of either agent. Positive fluorescence of intramedullary tumors is associated with a higher degree of resection.

Intraoperative Fluorophores: An Update on 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Sodium Fluorescein in Resection of Tumors of the Central Nervous System and Metastatic Lesions-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Recent advances in tumor visualization have improved the extent of resection (EOR) of primary and secondary tumors of the central nervous system, while limiting the morbidity and mortality of the surgery. One area of recent interest has been the use of intraoperative fluorophores for tumor visualization such as 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ala) and sodium fluorescein. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the utility of fluorophore administration and EOR with each fluorophore to update the current literature.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the use of intraoperative 5-ala or fluorescein between 2021 and 2023 using the PubMed, SCOPUS, and WOS databases. The initial search yielded 8688 results. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were met, 44 studies remained for review. A meta-analysis was performed to compare the EOR between studies for each fluorophore and to compare the presence of intraoperative fluorescence by tumor type. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for gross total resection (GTR), and two-way ANOVA tests were performed to compare rates of intraoperative fluorescence by fluorophore and tumor type.

RESULTS

In all groups except low-grade glioma, fluorescence was present after 5-ala administration; fluorescence was present for all groups after fluorescein administration. Two-way ANOVA analysis for both fluorophores demonstrated no statistically significant difference in presence of fluorescence between type of tumor resected. Meta-analysis of EOR did show a higher, but not significant, rate of GTR in the 5-ala group compared to controls (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.49; 3.37). In the fluorescein group, there were statistically significant higher odds of GTR compared to the control group (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.43; 3.10, I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Both 5-ala and sodium fluorescein demonstrated intraoperative fluorescence among various tumor types in both cranial and spinal tumors, as well as efficacy in improving EOR. Both fluorophores merit further investigation for use in surgery of CNS tumors.

First Clinical Report of the Intraoperative Macro- and Micro-Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium for a Patient with Disseminated Lumbar Medulloblastoma

Photodiagnosis (PD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) using the second-generation photosensitizer talaporfin sodium together with an exciting laser for primary intracranial malignant tumors is well recognized in Japan, and many medical institutions are introducing this new therapeutic option. In particular, intraoperative PDT using talaporfin sodium for infiltrating tumor cells in the cavity walls after the resection of malignant glioma is now covered by health insurance after receiving governmental approvement, and this method has been recommended in therapeutic guidelines for primary malignant brain tumors in Japan. On the other hand, experimental and clinical studies on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for malignant spinal cord tumors have not been reported to date, although their histological features are almost identical to those of intracranial malignant tumors. Therefore, the clinical outcomes of malignant spinal cord tumors have been less favorable than those of malignant brain tumors. In this report, we performed the PD and PDT using talaporfin sodium on a patient with a metastatic lumbar lesion that was detected on magnetic resonance image (MRI) 50 months after the resection of cerebellar medulloblastoma who presented with lumbago and sciatica. We were able to detect the target lesion in the conus medullaris using a surgical microscope, and detected the disseminated medulloblastoma cells floating in the cerebrospinal fluid using a compact fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, we performed PDT to the resected lumbar lesion with the adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, and the patient survived a meaningful life for more than 2 years after the lumbar surgery. This report describes the first case of a human patient in whom the efficacy of PD and PDT was demonstrated for a malignant spinal cord tumor.

The application of fluorescein sodium for the resection of medulloblastoma

Introduction

Surgical resection of medulloblastoma (MB) remains a challenge. At present, a variety of tracers have been used for intraoperative tumor visualization. However, there are few reports on the intraoperative visualization of MB. Hence, we reported our experience of applying fluorescein sodium (FS) in MB surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical information of patients with MB confirmed by surgery and pathology from January 2016 to December 2020 from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. A total of 62 patients were enrolled, of which 27 received intraoperative FS and 35 did not. The intraoperative dose of FS was 3 mg/kg.

Results

Among the 62 patients, 42 were males, and twenty were females. The age of onset in the FS group was 9.588 ± 7.322, which in the non-fluorescein sodium group was 13.469 ± 10.968, p = 0.198. We did not find significant differences in tumor location, tumor size, tumor resection, tumor histology, and preoperative symptoms (hydrocephalus, headache, vomit, balance disorder) between the groups. There was no significant difference in the postoperative symptoms (hydrocephalus, headache, vomiting, balance disorder, and cerebellar mutism). However, patients in the FS group had a relatively low incidence of balance disorder and cerebellar mutism. There was definite fluorescence of tumor in all cases of the FS group, and even the tiny metastatic lesion was visible. No case had side effects related to the use of FS.

Conclusions

FS is safe and effective in MB surgery. Whether the application of FS for surgery can reduce complications remains to be studied in the future.

Fluorescein-guided surgery for intradural spinal tumors: A single-center experience

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Gross total removal has a pivotal role in surgical treatment of intradural spinal tumors.

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Sodium fluorescein prevents vascular injuries also preserving pial vessels in posterior myelotomy.

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Fluorescence before the durotomy helps to distinguishing tumor from healthy tissue in intradural lesions.

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Intraoperative fluorescence is safe and effective, also preserving functional anatomy in tumor removal.

Fluorescence-Guided Surgery: A Review on Timing and Use in Brain Tumor Surgery

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) allows surgeons to have improved visualization of tumor tissue in the operating room, enabling maximal safe resection of malignant brain tumors. Over the past two decades, multiple fluorescent agents have been studied for FGS, including 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), fluorescein sodium, and indocyanine green (ICG). Both non-targeted and targeted fluorescent agents are currently being used in clinical practice, as well as under investigation, for glioma visualization and resection. While the efficacy of intraoperative fluorescence in studied fluorophores has been well established in the literature, the effect of timing on fluorophore administration in glioma surgery has not been as well depicted. In the past year, recent studies of 5-ALA use have shown that intraoperative fluorescence may persist beyond the previously studied window used in prior multicenter trials. Additionally, the use of fluorophores for different brain tumor types is discussed in detail, including a discussion of choosing the right fluorophore based on tumor etiology. In the following review, the authors will describe the temporal nature of the various fluorophores used in glioma surgery, what remains uncertain in FGS, and provide a guide for using fluorescence as a surgical adjunct in brain tumor surgery.