nirf imaging

Introduction: Near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging uses a contrast agent with fluorescence characteristics in the near infrared window (NIR: 700-900 nm). It is considered to have great potential in the clinical practice of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the future because it has the following capabilities: real-time anatomical recognition and navigation during surgery. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current and future applications of fluorescence imaging to support anatomical orientation during MIS to guide future research.

METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed and Embase databases. All identified articles were screened and checked for eligibility by two authors. In addition, literature was sought by screening references of eligible articles.

RESULTS: After administration of a fluorescent dye (e.g., indocyanine green), NIRF imaging can be helpful to improve the visualization of vital anatomical structures during MIS. Extra-hepatic bile ducts, arteries, ureters, sentinel lymph nodes, and lymph vessels have successfully been identified using NIRF imaging. A uniform approach regarding timing and route of dye administration has not yet been established. Optimization of both imaging systems and fluorescent dyes is needed to improve current shortcomings. New preclinical dyes are considered for optimization of NIRF imaging.

CONCLUSION: Future implementation of new intraoperative optical methods, such as NIRF, could significantly contribute to intraoperative anatomy navigation and facilitate critical decision-making in MIS. Further research (i.e., large multi-center randomized controlled trials) is needed to establish the true value of this innovative optical imaging technique in standard clinical practice.Copyright © 2014 University of York.Bookshelf ID: NBK292619

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NIRF imaging allows non-invasive molecular imaging of glioma microcirculation. (A-F) Representative noninvasive near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) using F8-SIP-Alexa-750 and magnet resonance imaging (MRI) of NaCl (A, B), 80 mg/ kg BW sunitinib, day 4 & 7 (C, D) or NaCl treated tumors with HyHEL-Alexa-750 controls (E, F) and ex vivo-NIRF imaging of 2 mm-thick consecutive brain slices and their respective enlargement (see indicated squares in the brain slices). All in vivo and ex vivo NIRF images are false colored and normalized to the respected fluorescence counts/s as indicated by the color scale bar except for the enlargements that were individually adapted for better visualization of the bio-distribution. 

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging in breast-conserving surgery: Assessing intraoperative techniques in tissue-simulating breast phantoms

Purpose

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) results in tumour-positive surgical margins in up to 40% of the patients. Therefore, new imaging techniques are needed that support the surgeon with real-time feedback on tumour location and margin status. In this study, the potential of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging in BCS for pre- and intraoperative tumour localization, margin status assessment and detection of residual disease was assessed in tissue-simulating breast phantoms.

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