Magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) is a re-emerging treatment modality for brain tumors where magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are locally delivered to the brain and then activated with an external alternating magnetic field (AMF) to generate localized heat at a site of interest. Due to the recent advancements in technology and theory surrounding the intervention, clinical and pre-clinical trials have demonstrated that MHT may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT) for the treatment of brain tumors. The future clinical success of MHT relies heavily on designing MNPs optimized for both heating and imaging, developing reliable methods for the local delivery of MNPs, and designing AMF systems with integrated magnetic particle imaging (MPI) for use in humans. However, despite the progression of technological development, the clinical progress of MHT has been underwhelming. This review aims to summarize the current state-of-the-art of MHT and offers insight into the current barriers and potential solutions for moving MHT forward.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are common in osteoporotic patients, with a frequency projected to increase alongside a growing geriatric population. VCFs often result in debilitating back pain and decreased mobility. Cement augmentation, a minimally invasive surgical technique, is widely used to stabilize fractures and restore vertebral height. Acrylic-based cements and calcium phosphate cements are currently the two primary fill materials utilized for these procedures. Despite their effectiveness, acrylic bone cements and calcium phosphate cements have been associated with various intraoperative and postoperative incidents impacting VCF treatment. Over the past decade, discoveries in the field of biomedical engineering and material science have shown advancements toward addressing these limitations. This narrative review aims to assess the potential pitfalls and barriers of the various types of bone cements.

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant central nervous system tumor, accounting for 50.9% of malignant CNS diagnoses and carrying a median survival of 15 months despite maximal standard therapy. High recurrence rates are driven by residual infiltrative tumor cells at the resection margin. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) has emerged as a key innovation to improve intraoperative tumor visualization and maximize the extent of resection (EOR). This review examines the historical development, current clinical applications, and future directions of FGS in GBM surgery. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, covering the evolution of fluorophores (fluorescein, indocyanine green [ICG], and 5-aminolevulinic acid [5-ALA]), visualization technologies (wide- and narrow-field modalities), therapeutic adjuncts (photodynamic and sonodynamic therapies), and clinical adoption patterns and outcomes. Results: Early intraoperative fluorescence using fluorescein dates to 1947. ICG angiography has broad surgical utility, while 5-ALA received FDA approval in 2017, with phase III trials demonstrating gross total resection rates of 65% versus 36% with white-light surgery. Adjunct technologies—3D exoscopes, FGS-compatible loupes, and quantitative spectroscopy probes—enhance detection of residual tumor. Preliminary studies of intraoperative photodynamic and sonodynamic therapies show feasibility and potential survival benefits. Global adoption of 5-ALA FGS exceeds 75% among surveyed neurosurgeons. Conclusions: FGS significantly improves EOR in GBM surgery, translating into better patient outcomes. Ongoing clinical trials and technological refinements—novel fluorophores, quantitative imaging, and therapeutic applications—promise to further optimize tumor visualization and treatment.

Magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) is a promising treatment modality for brain tumors using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) locally delivered to the tumor and activated with an external alternating magnetic field (AMF) to generate antitumor effects through localized heating. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging technology offering strong signal-to-noise for nanoparticle localization. A scoping review was performed by systematically querying Pubmed, Scopus, and Embase. In total, 251 articles were returned, 12 included. Articles were analyzed for nanoparticle type used, MHT parameters, and MPI applications. Preliminary results show that MHT is an exciting treatment modality with unique advantages over current heat-based therapies for brain cancer. Effective application relies on the further development of unique magnetic nanoparticle constructs and imaging modalities, such as MPI, that can enable real-time MNP imaging for improved therapeutic outcomes.

Background: Neurosurgery demands exceptional precision due to the brain’s complex and delicate structures, necessitating precise targeting of pathological targets. Achieving optimal outcomes depends on the surgeon’s ability to accurately differentiate between healthy and pathological tissues during operations. Raman spectroscopy (RS) has emerged as a promising innovation, offering real-time, in vivo non-invasive biochemical tissue characterization. This literature review evaluates the current research on RS applications in intraoperative neurosurgery, emphasizing its potential to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive systematic review was conducted using PubMed to extract relevant peer-reviewed articles. The inclusion criteria focused on original research discussing real-time RS applications with human tissue samples in or near the operating room, excluding retrospective studies, reviews, non-human research, and other non-relevant publications. Results: Our findings demonstrate that RS significantly improves tumor margin delineation, with handheld devices achieving high sensitivity and specificity. Stimulated Raman Histology (SRH) provides rapid, high-resolution tissue images comparable to traditional histopathology but with reduced time to diagnosis. Additionally, RS shows promise in identifying tumor types and grades, aiding precise surgical decision-making. RS techniques have been particularly beneficial in enhancing the accuracy of glioma surgeries, where distinguishing between tumor and healthy tissue is critical. By providing real-time molecular data, RS aids neurosurgeons in maximizing the extent of resection (EOR) while minimizing damage to normal brain tissue, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing recurrence rates. Conclusions: This review underscores the transformative potential of RS in neurosurgery, advocating for continued innovation and research to fully realize its benefits. Despite its substantial potential, further research is needed to validate RS’s clinical utility and cost-effectiveness.