Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
10:48
PET and MRI Guided Irradiation of a Glioblastoma Rat Model Using a Micro-irradiator
Published on: December 28, 2017
Radio-guided neurosurgery (RGNS): early experience with its use in brain tumour surgery
Y Bhanot1, S Rao, R V Parmeshwaran
1Manipal Institute for Neurological Disorders (MIND), Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|August 7, 2007
Summary
Radio Guided Neurosurgery (RGNS) effectively identifies brain tumors and residual lesions in real-time using a gamma probe. This technique enhances surgical confidence and confirms complete tumor removal, especially in eloquent areas.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Radio Guided Neurosurgery (RGNS) utilizes systemic radionuclide administration and intra-operative gamma probe detection.
- It aims to identify isotope-rich brain tumors and residual lesions post-excision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate RGNS for real-time, intra-operative tumor identification and excision completeness assessment.
- Special focus on surface-localizing tumors and those near eloquent brain areas.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, non-randomized study of 19 patients with intrinsic brain tumors (July 2005-December 2006).
- Administered 99m Technetium Sestamibi (Tc) with SPECT-CT confirmation of uptake.
- Used a Euro 4 Probe to detect gamma emissions, identifying tumors by a twofold difference in activity.
Main Results:
- RGNS provided real-time, intra-operative identification of tumors from normal brain tissue.
- The system guided craniotomy and identified visually indistinct tumors.
- Complete tumor removal was assessed by the absence of significant residual activity.
Conclusions:
- RGNS is an inexpensive, portable system for real-time tumor identification and excision completeness assessment.
- It enhances neurosurgeon confidence, particularly for tumors in or near eloquent areas.
- Provides reliable, real-time proof of complete tumor excision.
