Review of Intraoperative Adjuncts for Maximal Safe Resection of Gliomas and Its Impact on Outcomes

Simple Summary Understanding the impact of intraoperative modalities in glioma surgery on the extent of resection (EOR), survival, and complications is vital to maximizing safe resection while preserving neurological function. A systematic literature search was performed to assess the impact of intraoperative modalities of glioma surgery, including one or a combination of the following: intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI), awake/general anesthesia craniotomy mapping (AC/GA), fluorescence-guided imaging, or combined modalities. The heterogeneity in reporting the amount of surgical resection prevented further analysis. The studies reviewed indicated that these modalities significantly improved EOR but most often underreported Progression-free survival/overall survival (PFS/OS). Combining intraoperative modalities during the same brain glioma operation seems to have the highest effect compared to each modality alone. Maximal safe resection is the mainstay of treatment in the neurosurgical management of gliomas, and preserving functional integrity is linked to favorable outcomes. How these modalities differ in their effectiveness on the extent of resection (EOR), survival, and complications remains unknown. A systematic literature search was performed with the following inclusion criteria: published between 2005 and 2022, involving brain glioma surgery, and including one or a combination of intraoperative modalities: intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI), awake/general anesthesia craniotomy mapping (AC/GA), fluorescence-guided imaging, or combined modalities. Of 525 articles, 464 were excluded and 61 articles were included, involving 5221 glioma patients, 7(11.4%) articles used iMRI, 21(36.8%) used cortical mapping, 15(24.5%) used 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or fluorescein sodium, and 18(29.5%) used combined modalities. The heterogeneity in reporting the amount of surgical resection prevented further analysis. Progression-free survival/overall survival (PFS/OS) were reported in 18/61(29.5%) articles, while complications and permanent disability were reported in 38/61(62.2%) articles. The reviewed studies demonstrate that intraoperative adjuncts such as iMRI, AC/GA mapping, fluorescence-guided imaging, and a combination of these modalities improve EOR. However, PFS/OS were underreported. Combining multiple intraoperative modalities seems to have the highest effect compared to each adjunct alone.