Near-Infrared Imaging in Small Animal Surgical Oncology: Current Applications and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Veterinary medicine
• Surgical oncology
• Medical imaging

Background:

• Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is widely used in human cancer surgery for enhanced visualization.
• Its adoption in small animal surgical oncology is growing for tumor imaging and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping.
• Clinical veterinary application lags behind human use, requiring further research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current applications of NIR imaging in companion animal oncologic surgery.
• To discuss techniques, imaging agents, and clinical uses.
• To identify limitations and emerging technologies in veterinary NIR imaging.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of NIR imaging applications in companion animal oncologic surgery.
• Summary of dye administration techniques and imaging agents.
• Discussion of clinical uses across various tumor types.

Main Results:

• NIR imaging aids in visualizing tumors, metastatic lesions, and SLNs in companion animals.
• Common agents like indocyanine green show limitations in tumor specificity and tissue penetration.
• Variability in protocols and limited species-specific data exist.

Conclusions:

• NIR imaging shows promise as an adjunct in small animal surgical oncology.
• Further standardization, research, and development of targeted agents are necessary for broader clinical integration.
• Defining indications and impact on outcomes is crucial for veterinary adoption.