Primary malignant and non-malignant brain tumors account for an estimated 21.42 cases per 100,000 for a total count of 343,175 incident tumors based on worldwide population estimates. These entities result in variable but disappointing rates of survival, particularly for primary brain tumors (5-year survival rates: anaplastic astrocytoma 27%; glioblastoma multiforme 5%). Metastatic brain tumors outnumber primary brain tumors (estimates as high as 10:1) as they affect approximately 25% of patients diagnosed with cancer. In terms of brain tumor surgery, the extent of surgical resection—a factor that is greatly impacted by a Neurosurgeon's ability to visualize these tumors—is directly associated with patient outcomes and survival. Although spinal cord tumors are lower in terms of their incidence, data correlating extent-of-resection to outcomes and survival have been demonstrated in patients with intramedullary tumors. Using systemically delivered compounds with a high sensitivity of detection by near-infrared fluorescence, it would be possible for us to improve surgical resection thus minimizing chances of recurrence and improving survival. The use of an ICG probe registered with MRSI-derived metabolic data allows for the operating field and tissue at the tumor/normal brain or spinal cord interface to be observed in real-time.