Infrared fluorescence guided pleural biopsy during thoracoscopy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The authors developed methods and assessment of efficacy of infrared fluorescence imaging of pleural carcinomatosis using indocyanine green (ICG). MATERIAL AND METHODS. The prospective study included 14 patients with malignant pleural carcinomatosis. All patients underwent standard thoracoscopy with pleural biopsy, then pleural cavity was examined under fluorescence control using ICG solution. Comparison of accuracy of biopsy materials obtained in white light and fluorescence was made. RESULTS. Signs of malignancy had 21 biopsy specimens out of 28, which were obtained in white light (in 12 patients out of 14). Research of biopsy specimens using fluorescence allowed doctors to make the precise diagnosis in all 14 patients, with 33 out of 34 biopsy materials being informative. CONCLUSIONS. Intraoperative application of infrared ICG fluorescence developed accuracy of biopsy and histological verification of the diagnosis.

Keywords

• pleural carcinomatosis
• biopsy
• indocyanine green
• infrared fluorescence