Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Application of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging Technology in Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection
Published on: November 21, 2025
Fluorescence-guided surgery using indocyanine green in dogs with superficial solid tumours
Sophie Favril1,2, Eline Abma3,2, Emmelie Stock4
1Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium sophie.favril@ugent.be.
Background:
Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is a relatively novel technique that can aid surgeons during intraoperative tumour identification.
Methods:
Nine canine oncology patients (five mammary gland tumours, three mast cell tumours and one melanoma) received intravenous indocyanine green (ICG). After 24 hours, tumours were resected and fluorescence intensities of tumours and surroundings were evaluated. Additional wound bed tissue was resected if residual fluorescence was present after tumour resection. Ex vivo, fluorescence-guided dissection was performed to separate tumour from surrounding tissue.
Results:
Intraoperative NIRF-guided tumour delineation was feasible in four out of nine dogs. Wound bed imaging after tumour removal identified nine additional fluorescent lesions, of which four contained tumour tissue. One of these four true positive in vivo lesions was missed by standard-of-care inspection. Ex vivo fluorescence-guided tumour dissection showed a sensitivity of 72 per cent and a specificity of 80 per cent in discriminating between tumour and surrounding tissue.
Conclusion:
The value of ICG for intraoperative tumour delineation seems more limited than originally thought. Although NIRF imaging using ICG did identify remaining tumour tissue in the wound bed, a high false positive rate was also observed.
Insights
Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) showed limited success in canine tumor identification. While it detected residual tumors, a high false positive rate was observed, impacting its clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Surgical Imaging
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an emerging technique for intraoperative tumor detection.
- Its utility in veterinary oncology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of NIRF imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) for intraoperative tumor delineation in canine patients.
- To assess the accuracy of ICG-guided tumor resection and identify residual tumor tissue.
Main Methods:
- Nine dogs with various tumors received intravenous ICG.
- Tumor resection was performed, followed by fluorescence intensity evaluation of tumors and surrounding tissues.
- Ex vivo fluorescence-guided dissection was used to differentiate tumor from healthy tissue.
Main Results:
- Intraoperative NIRF-guided tumor delineation was successful in 4 out of 9 dogs.
- Additional fluorescent lesions were identified in the wound bed post-resection, with 4 containing tumor tissue.
- Ex vivo analysis demonstrated 72% sensitivity and 80% specificity for ICG in distinguishing tumor from surrounding tissue.
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of ICG for intraoperative tumor delineation in this cohort was limited.
- NIRF imaging with ICG identified residual tumor but also exhibited a high false positive rate.
- Further research is needed to optimize NIRF imaging protocols for veterinary surgical guidance.
More Related Videos
04:01Indocyanine Green-Guided Intraoperative Imaging to Facilitate Video-Assisted Retroperitoneal Debridement for Treating Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis
Published on: September 8, 2022
03:23Fluorescent Laparoscopic Central Hepatectomy for Liver Cancer Using Indocyanine Green Negative Staining
Published on: March 17, 2023