UC San Diego

Re-operative neck surgery for hyperparathyroidism is a technically difficult operation that requires adjunctive studies to assist with finding the parathyroid tissues. Intraoperative tests help minimise exploration of the neck and decrease injuries to the surrounding structures. Indocyanine green is a near-infrared fluorescent dye that in pre-clinical models was found to be useful in locating the parathyroid glands of dogs. No study has yet reported its use as a tool for parathyroid localisation in humans. We investigated the use of indocyanine green to assist with localisation of a recurrent parathyroid adenoma using a near-infrared imaging system. After exposure of the neck tissues, the parathyroid gland fluoresced brightly and directed our dissection. Exploration of the neck was minimal, and allowed for fast localisation and excision of the adenoma. Overall, use of indocyanine green is a simple and safe technique of intraoperative parathyroid localisation that warrants further investigation.