Intraoperative imaging using intravascular contrast agent

Near-infrared contrast agents are becoming more frequently studied due to their advantageous characteristics, most notably the ability to work in the tissue transparency window of the electromagnetic spectrum. This produces a need for imaging technology that can be specific for both the NIR dye and the discipline. Indocyanine green is currently the primary NIR dye used in neurosurgery. Here we report on using the previously described augmented microscope for image guidance in a rat glioma resection. Luc-C6 cells were implanted in a rat in the left-frontal lobe and grown for 22 days. Surgical resection was performed by a neurosurgeon using augmented microscopy guidance with ICG contrast. Videos and images were acquired to evaluate image quality and resection margins. ICG accumulated in the tumor tissue due to enhanced permeation and retention from the compromised blood-brain-barrier. The augmented microscope was capable of guiding the rat glioma resection and highlighted tumor tissue regions via ICG signal.