Advancements in Intraoperative Optical Technologies for Neurosurgery Guidance

Introduction: Intraoperative optical technologies have shown immense promise as neurosurgical adjuncts. These technologies provide real-time feedback, are cost-effective, and seamlessly integrate into the surgical workflow, making them valuable tools for enhancing surgical guidance and tissue assessment. This Research Topic focuses on the application of these technologies in neurosurgery.

Goal and Scope: This Research Topic aims to investigate the advancements in intraoperative optical technologies and their impact on neurosurgical guidance and tissue assessment. We invite researchers and clinicians to contribute manuscripts addressing a range of topics related to these technologies. The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

1. Novel Optical Imaging Modalities:

• Exploration of new optical imaging techniques for intraoperative use, such as multispectral imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and spatial frequency domain imaging.

2. Contrast Agents and Biomarkers:

• Investigations into the development and application of contrast agents or biomarkers for optical imaging, including targeted molecular probes and functional agents.

3. Neurosurgical Guidance and Navigation:

• Advancements in intraoperative optical technologies for precise localization and guidance during surgical procedures, including image registration, augmented reality, and robotic-assisted surgery.

4. Optical Assessment of Tissue Pathologies:

• Examination of optical techniques for real-time tissue assessment, including fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and Raman spectroscopy.

Conclusion: This Research Topic seeks to explore the application of intraoperative optical technologies in neurosurgery. Authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts presenting methods, clinical studies, technological developments, and translational research in this rapidly evolving field.

Keywords: Intraoperative optical technologies, neurosurgery, brain imaging, tissue assessment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.