Fluorescein sodium-guided resection of cerebral metastases—experience with the first 30 patients

Surgical resection is a key element of the multidisciplinary treatment of cerebral metastases (CMs). Recent studies have highlighted the importance of complete resection of CMs for improving recurrence-free and overall survival rates. This study presents the first data on the use of fluorescein sodium (FL) under the dedicated surgical microscope filter YELLOW 560 nm (Zeiss Meditec, Germany) in patients with CM.

Thirty patients with CMs of different primary cancers were included (15 females, 15 males; mean age 61.1 years); 200 mg of FL was intravenously injected directly before CM resection. A YELLOW 560 nm filter was used for microsurgical tumor resection and resection control. Surgical reports were evaluated regarding the degree of fluorescent staining, postoperative MRIs regarding the extent of resection [gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced T1-weighted sequence] and the postoperative courses regarding any adverse effects.

Most patients (90.0%, n = 27) showed bright fluorescent staining, which markedly enhanced tumor visibility. Three patients (10.0%) (two with adenocarcinoma of the lung and one with melanoma of the skin) showed no or only insufficient FL staining. Another three patients (10.0%) showed residual tumor tissue in the postoperative MRI examination. In two other patients, radiographic examination could not exclude the possibility of very small areas of residual tumor tissue. Thus, gross-total resection was achieved in 83.3% (n = 25) of patients. No adverse effects were registered over the postoperative course.

FL and the YELLOW 560 nm filter are safe and practical tools for the resection of CM, but further prospective research is needed to confirm that this advanced technique will improve the quality of CM resection.