[FALSE POSITIVE 5-ALA INDUCED FLUORESCENCE OF HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES, BENIGN TUMORS, INFECTIOUS AND INFLAMMATORY PATHOLOGIES PRESENTED AS BRAIN LESIONS - A CASE SERIES].

Abstract

Introduction: The 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence-guided resection is an essential part of the current state-of-the-art treatment of primary malignant brain tumors. Metabolized by tumor cells, creating Protoporphyrin-IX, which is fluorescent under UV light emitted from the microscope, 5-ALA facilitates visual distinction between the tumor and the normal brain tissue surrounding it, coloring it pink. This real-time diagnostic feature was shown to lead to more complete removal of the tumor and confers a survival benefit. Nevertheless, despite the high sensitivity and specificity that was described using this method, there are other pathological processes in which 5-ALA is being metabolized that fluoresce similarly to a malignant glial tumor.