Utility of neurological smears for intrasurgical brain cancer diagnostics and tumour cell percentage by DESI-MSElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Supplementary materials and methods; Tables S1-S5; Fig. S1-S4; Video S1. See DOI: 10.1039/c6an02645a

Analysis of neurological smears by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is an emerging diagnostic strategy for intraoperative consultation in brain tumor resection. DESI-MS allows rapid sampling while providing accurate diagnostic information. We assess the chemical homogeneity of neurological smears using DESI-MS imaging and the quality of rapid DESI-MS diagnosis. Analysis of neurological smears by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is an emerging diagnostic strategy for intraoperative consultation in brain tumor resection.