Abstract
Background: Current sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) techniques, including use of radioisotopes, have disadvantages including the use of a radioactive tracer. Indocyanine green (ICG) based near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and cone beam CT (CBCT) have advantages for intraoperative use. However, limited literature exists regarding their use in head and neck cancer SLNB. Methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized study using a rabbit oral cavity VX2 squamous cell carcinoma model (n = 10) which develops lymph node metastasis. Pre-operatively, images were acquired by MicroCT. During surgery, CBCT and NIR fluorescence imaging of ICG was used to map and guide the SLNB resection. Results: Intraoperative use of ICG to guide fluorescence resection resulted in identification of all lymph nodes identified by pre-operative CT. CBCT was useful for near real time intraoperative imaging and 3D reconstruction. Conclusions: This pre-clinical study further demonstrates the technical feasibility, limitations and advantages of intraoperative NIR-guided ICG imaging for SLN identification as a complementary method during head and neck surgery.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 106 |
Journal | BMC Medical Imaging |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 14 Sep 2020 |
Keywords
- Cone beam CT
- Head and neck cancer
- Head and neck surgery
- Indocyanine green
- Near-infrared fluorescence imaging
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy