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Background: Intraoperative frozen section assessment, to confirm acquisition of pathological tissues, is used in stereotactic brain biopsy to minimise sampling errors. Limitations include the dependence on dedicated neuro-oncology pathologists and an increase in operative duration. We investigated the use of intraoperative fluorescein sodium, and compared it to frozen section assessment, for confirming pathological tissue samples in the stereotactic biopsy of gadolinium-contrast-enhancing brain lesions. Methods: This prospective observational study consisted of 18 consecutive patients (12 men; median age, 63 years) who underwent stereotactic biopsy of gadolinium-contrast-enhancing brain lesions with intravenous fluorescein sodium administration. Twenty-three specimens were obtained and examined for the presence of fluorescence using a microscope with fluorescence visualisation capability. Positive and negative predictive values were calculated based on the fluorescence status of the biopsy samples with its corresponding intraoperative frozen section and definitive histopathological diagnosis. Results: Nineteen specimens (83%) were fluorescent and four (17%) were non-fluorescent. All 19 fluorescent specimens were confirmed to be lesional on intraoperative frozen section assessment and were suitable for histopathological diagnosis. Three of the non-fluorescent specimens were confirmed to be lesional on intraoperative frozen section assessment. One non-fluorescent specimen was non-diagnostic on frozen section and histological assessments. The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 25%. Conclusions: Fluorescein sodium fluorescence is as accurate as frozen section assessment in confirming sampling of pathological tissue in the stereotactic biopsy of gadolinium-contrast-enhancing brain lesions. Fluorescein sodium fluorescence-guided stereotactic biopsy is a useful addition to the neurosurgical armamentarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of fluorescein fluorescence-guided stereotactic needle biopsy has been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy and to expedite operative procedure in the stereotactic needle biopsy of high-grade gliomas. We developed a device (Fluoropen) for detecting fluorescence in brain tumor tissues obtained by fluorescein fluorescence-guided stereotactic needle biopsy., Methods: The Fluoropen is a device consisting of a light source fitted with color filters to create the required emission and visualization wavelengths. The proof-of-concept study consisted of four consecutive patients who underwent fluorescein fluorescence-guided frameless stereotactic biopsy of brain tumor. Each sample was examined for the presence of fluorescence using the Fluoropen and compared with a microscope with fluorescence visualization capability., Results: A total of six samples were obtained from four stereotactic needle biopsy procedures. Four out of five samples (80%) taken from the contrast-enhancing part of the tumors were shown to be fluorescent under the microscope fitted with fluorescence module and the Fluoropen. One non-contrast enhancing lesion was non-fluorescent using both the microscope fitted with fluorescence module and the Fluoropen. The Fluoropen was shown to have 100% concordance with the microscope fitted with fluorescence module., Conclusions: The Fluoropen is a low-cost and simple standalone device for the detection of fluorescein fluorescence that can expedite stereotactic needle biopsy by providing instant confirmation of the diagnostic sample and therefore avoid the need for an intraoperative frozen section. In patients with non-contrast enhancing tumors and those who were pre-treated with dexamethasone prior to surgery, fluorescein fluorescence-guided stereotactic needle biopsy will need to be used with caution.