Use of Shear Wave Elastography for Intraoperative Brain and Tumor Stiffness Measurements

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Determine the feasibility of utilizing ISWEU measurements intraoperatively and in the human brain to measure tissue stiffness.

OUTLINE: This is an observational study.

Patients undergo shear wave elastography ultrasound over 10-15 minutes during their standard of care surgery on study.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients must be at least 18 years old.
• Patients must have planned surgery for resection of a newly diagnosed or recurrent brain tumors.
• Patients with tumors located in the brain cortex or superficial white matter in which introduction of the ultrasound probe is straightforward and does not pose a risk for intraoperative complications.
• Patients must have a Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60%.
• Patient or legally authorized representative (LAR) willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with deep-seated brain tumors in which introduction of the ultrasound probe poses an increased risk.
• Patients with a history of any brain infections.
• Patients with implanted devices.
• Patients with any other neurological/neurosurgical disease that could affect tissue stiffness.
• Patients with any other structural brain defect that could affect tissue stiffness.