5-Aminolevulinic acid–assisted resection of pediatric dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor: illustrative case

BACKGROUND: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is approved as an adjunct for the resection of high-grade gliomas and is associated with improved outcomes. Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) are benign glioneural tumors occurring primarily in pediatric patients and often manifesting with seizure disorder. The goal of the surgical intervention is to obtain gross-total resection, which is associated, in the majority of cases, with seizure freedom. OBSERVATIONS: The authors present the first case report of a pediatric patient who underwent gross-total resection of a 5-ALA–positive DNET with no evidence of recurrent seizures (Engel class I). LESSONS: Fluorescence-guided surgery using 5-ALA facilitated gross-total resection of the mass.