Contemporary use of intraoperative imaging in glioma surgery: A survey among EANS members

In glioma surgery, intraoperative imaging is regarded highly valuable to improve extent of resection. Current distribution of intraoperative imaging techniques is largely unknown. Further, controversy exists which method might be most beneficial.

We performed a web-based survey among members of the European Association of Neurological Surgeons(EANS) from April to May 2017. Our questionnaire included intraoperative MRI(iMRI), 5-aminolevulinic acid(5-ALA), intraoperative ultrasound(iUS),Na-Fluorescein and intraoperative CT(iCT). The value of each method in resection of glioblastoma(GB) and low-grade-glioma(LGG) and their role for intraoperative orientation and usability were rated based on Likert-scales from 1(not valuable/important) to 5(very valuable/important). A total score was calculated based on each sub-score. Mann-Whitney-U-test was used to compare ratings of imaging methods.

Among the 310 participants, iMRI and 5-ALA were regarded as the most valuable intraoperative imaging methods in GB-surgery (iMRIvs.5-ALA,p=0.573;mean 4.05(SE0.149)vs.4.22(SE0.216)). Both were considered significantly more valuable than iUS, Na-Fluorescein and iCT(p≤0.001).Compared to all other methods, iMRI received significantly higher ratings for the resection of LGGs (p<0.01,mean 4.21(SE 0.143)) as well as for intraoperative orientation (mean 4.00(SE0.166)).5-ALA was rated highest regarding intraoperative usability (mean 4.07(SE0.082)). iMRI showed the highest total score compared to all other imaging modalities(p<0.001,mean 15.95(SE 0.484)).

iMRI and 5-ALA were rated most valuable for GB-surgery, while only iMRI reached higher ratings in LGG cases. iMRI was the best imaging method for intraoperative orientation as well as the most valuable method in overall rating. Considering the total score, 5-ALA and iUS received similar values and were rated second highest, followed by Na-Fluorescein and iCT.