Clinical application of confocal laser endomicroscopy in neurosurgery: a scoping review

Key Points

• Confocal laser endomicroscopy shows potential as a rapid intraoperative histology technique, enhancing surgical efficiency.
• Current observational studies indicate the safety and feasibility of cle, highlighting its promise in various neurosurgical applications.
• Well-designed interventional trials are necessary to establish cle's role as an optical biopsy tool during tumor resections.
• The variability in existing study designs limits the understanding of cle's effectiveness and impact on patient outcomes.

Abstract