Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38085385›Full record

SynthesisNeurosurgical review2023

Fluorescence-guided resection of intradural spinal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ibrahem Albalkhi, Areez Shafqat, Othman Bin-Alamer, Abdul Rahman Abou Al-Shaar, Arka N Mallela, Ricardo J Fernández-de Thomas, Pascal O Zinn, Peter C Gerszten, Constantinos G Hadjipanayis, Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Neurosurgical review, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
0.2field-weighted citation impact, top 38% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Image-Guided Brain Tumor Surgery.Recent results in cancer research. Fortschritte der Krebsforschung. Progres dans les recherches sur le cancer · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.

Ibrahem AlbalkhiCollege of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Areez ShafqatCollege of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Othman Bin-AlamerDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Abdul Rahman Abou Al-ShaarCollege of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Dariyah, Saudi Arabia.
Arka N MallelaDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Ricardo J Fernández-de ThomasDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Pascal O ZinnDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Peter C GersztenDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Constantinos G HadjipanayisDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Hussam Abou-Al-ShaarDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. aboualshaarh@upmc.edu.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center · USNeurological Surgery · USAlfaisal University · SAAlmaarefa University

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Intradural spinal tumors present significant challenges due to involvement of critical motor and sensory tracts. Achieving maximal resection while preserving functional tissue is therefore crucial. Fluorescence-guided surgery aims to improve resection accuracy and is well studied for brain tumors, but its efficacy has not been fully assessed for spinal tumors. This meta-analysis aims to delineate the efficacy of fluorescence guidance in intradural spinal tumor resection. The authors performed a systematic review in four databases. We included studies that have utilized fluorescence agents, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or sodium fluorescein, for the resection of intradural spinal tumors. A meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A total of 12 studies involving 552 patients undergoing fluorescence-guided intradural spinal tumor resection were included. Meningiomas demonstrated a 98% fluorescence rate and were associated with a homogenous florescence pattern; however, astrocytomas had variable fluorescence rate with pooled proportion of 70%. There was no significant difference in gross total resection (GTR) rates between fluorescein and 5-ALA (94% vs 84%, p = .22). Pre-operative contrast enhancement was significantly associated with intraoperative fluorescence with fluorescein. Intramedullary tumors with positive intraoperative fluorescence were significantly associated with higher GTR rates (96% vs 73%, p = .03). Utilizing fluorescence guidance during intradural spinal tumor resection holds promise of improving intraoperative visualization for specific intradural spinal tumors. Meningiomas and ependymomas have the highest fluorescence rates especially with sodium fluorescein; on the other hand, astrocytomas have variable fluorescence rates with no superiority of either agent. Positive fluorescence of intramedullary tumors is associated with a higher degree of resection.

Indexed as

AstrocytomaMeningeal NeoplasmsMeningiomaSpinal Cord NeoplasmsSpinal NeoplasmsAminolevulinic AcidFluoresceinFluorescenceHumansAminolevulinic AcidFluoresceinAminolevulinic acidEpendymomaFluoresceinMeningiomaSpinal neoplasm

Identifiers

PMID38085385
OpenAlexW4389609964

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.