Safety and feasibility of low-dose fluorescein-guided resection of glioblastoma

Objectives The extent of resection is an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with glioblastomas. Although fluorescein sodium may enhance intraoperative visualization of tumor margin and increase the extent of glioblastoma, the dose related anaphylactic reaction is still a major concern. In the present study, we used allergy skin testing to exclude the patients susceptible to anaphylaxis preoperatively, and then investigated the feasibility of low-dose fluorescein sodium to guide glioblastoma resection intraoperatively, thereby to improve the safety of fluorescein-guided glioma resection. Patients and Methods Patients with suspected glioblastoma based on brain MRI were subjected to allergy skin intradermal tests for fluorescein sodium preoperatively. Only those with negative allergy skin tests received intravenous injection of low dose fluorescein sodium (1–2 mg/kg) during microsurgical tumor resection under dedicated Yellow 560 filter. The degree of fluorescent staining was documented and the extent of resection was evaluated by MRI scan. Results One patient with positive allergy skin test was excluded from fluorescein sodium administration and no anaphylactic reaction was found during fluorescein sodium guided surgery in the patients who were negative for allergy skin tests. The low dose fluorescein sodium (1–2 mg/kg) could provide enough visualization of tumors with sufficient discrimination from surrounding normal brain tissue and improve the resection extent of glioblastoma. Conclusion Preoperative allergy skin test is a useful method to exclude the patients susceptible to anaphylaxis, together with intraoperative low dose fluorescein sodium administration, may facilitate glioblastoma resection by fluorescence guidance while avoid safety concern of dose-related anaphylaxis.