J Neurosurg 142:1319–1330, 2025
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that intraoperative MRI significantly increases gross-total resection rates and progression-free survival in glioma surgery, without increasing neurological deficits or most complications, though it prolongs surgery and may raise infection risk. iMRI is effective and generally safe for maximizing tumor removal.
• Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) significantly increases the rate of gross-total resection (GTR) in glioma surgery compared to conventional neuronavigation.
• Greater extent of resection (EOR) with iMRI leads to improved progression-free survival (PFS), especially in high-grade gliomas.
• No significant difference in overall survival (OS) was observed between iMRI and conventional surgery groups.
• Rates of postoperative neurological deterioration, motor, and language decline are similar between iMRI and control groups.
• iMRI does not increase the risk of postoperative intracranial hemorrhage, but may be associated with higher rates of wound infections in some studies.
• Use of iMRI prolongs surgery time by an average of 42 minutes.
• Only three randomized controlled trials with a total of 384 patients met inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis.
• Combined use of iMRI and 5-ALA may further enhance EOR, but more randomized studies are needed for definitive conclusions.









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