Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice
Published on: December 27, 2024
Fluorescein-Guided Resection of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: Results from a Preliminary, Multicentric,
Francesco Acerbi1, Claudio Cavallo1, Karl-Michael Schebesch2
1Neurosurgical Unit 2, Department of Neurosurgery, Foundation IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
Background:
Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) are rare, heterogenous lesions that are usually enhanced on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because of a damaged blood-brain barrier. Sodium fluorescein is a dye that accumulates in areas of the central nervous system with a damaged BBB. Given the pattern of MRI contrast enhancement of the majority of IMSCTs, the use of this fluorescent tracer could improve tumor visualization and quality of resection. In this article, we present the first experience with the application of fluorescein-guided technique for surgical removal of IMSCTs.
Methods:
Eleven patients (6 men, 5 women; mean age, 50.1 years), harboring 5 ependymomas, 3 hemangioblastomas, 1 astrocytoma, 1 pilocytic astrocytoma, and 1 glioneuronal tumor forming rosettes were included. Sodium fluorescein (5 mg/kg) was injected immediately after patient intubation. Tumors were removed with microsurgical technique and standard neurophysiological monitoring, under YELLOW 560 filter (Pentero 900) visualization. Surgical reports were reviewed regarding usefulness and grade of fluorescein staining. Postoperative MRI was performed within 72 hours after surgery, and postoperative clinical outcome was registered.
Results:
No adverse events were registered. Fluorescent staining was reported in 9 of 11 cases (82%), all of them enhancing on preoperative MRI (100% of ependymomas, 100% of pilocytic astrocytomas, 100% of hemangioblastomas). No fluorescence was reported in 1 astrocytoma and 1 glioneuronal tumor-forming rosette. Intraoperative fluorescence was considered helpful for tumor resection in 9 of 11 cases (82%). Gross total resection was obtained in 8 of 11 cases (72.7%).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that fluorescein-guided surgery is a safe and effective technique that can be used during the surgical resection of IMSCTs presenting with contrast-enhancement on preoperative MRI.
