Fluorescence Lifetime Spectroscopy and Imaging in Neurosurgery

• Published in: IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electronics Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 1465 - 1477
• Main Authors: Marcu, L., Hartl, B. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01-07-2012; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Autofluorescence; Brain; brain tumor; Correlation; Fluorescence; glioma; Image resolution; imaging; Instruments; Magnetic resonance imaging; neurosurgery; Quantum electronics; Radicals; Spectroscopy; Surgery; Tumors; fluorescence; spectroscopy; Autofluorescence; brain tumor; glioma; neurosurgery; imaging; surgery
• ISSN: 1077-260X; 1558-4542
• DOI: 10.1109/JSTQE.2012.2185823

Clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with primary brain tumor has been correlated with the extent of surgical resection. In treating this disease, the neurosurgeon must balance between an aggressive, radical resection and minimizing the loss of healthy, functionally significant brain tissue. Numerous intraoperative methodologies and technological approaches have been explored as a means to improve the accuracy of surgical resection. This paper presents an overview of current conventional techniques and new emerging technologies with potential to impact the area of image-guided surgery of brain tumors. Emphasis is placed on techniques based on endogenous fluorescence lifetime contrast and their potential for intraoperative diagnosis of brain tumors.