Fluorescence image-guided surgery of brain tumors: Explained step-by-step

Fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) and fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) are surgical techniques used to maximise tumor excision and minimise collateral damage. FIGS and FGR combine preoperative photosensitizer-administration and fluorescence detection during surgery, by illumination of the surgical field using the appropriate wavelength and observing the fluorescence via a long-pass filter that allows fluorescent tumor to be seen by the surgeon. Commercially available technology has led to gross total resection of enhancing brain tumors in 65% of patients compared to merely 35% under standard white light surgery. This is a step-by-step synopsis of the techniques of FIGS in brain. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.