Intraoperative MRI and 5-ALA Guidance to Improve the Extent of Resection in Brain Tumor Surgery

Intraoperative MRI and 5-ALA Guidance to Improve the Extent of Resection in Brain Tumor Surgery

The investigators hypothesize that the rate of radiologically complete resections of contrast-enhancing brain tumors following surgeries aided by use of 5-ALA induced fluorescence guidance and use of an intraoperative ultra-low field MRI is higher compared to surgeries aided by 5-ALA induced fluorescene alone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patient (> 18 years) able to give informed consent
• primary supratentorial intra-axial brain tumor exhibiting contrast enhancement suspected to be malignant glioma
• tumor must be deemed completely resectable by neurosurgeon
• diagnostic MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

• patient unable or unwilling to give informed consent
• infratentorial tumor location
• tumor location in or near eloquent areas
• multifocal tumor
• existance of contraindications to undergo MRI examination
• previous surgical treatment for an intraaxial brain tumor