Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association (MAAUA) Search MA-AUA
Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association (MAAUA)
Home | About Us | Contact Us   
  Home
  Members
    Members Only Area
    Member Directory
    Join the MA-AUA
  Annual Meeting
  Future Meetings
  Board of Directors
  Committees
  Careers
  Newsletters
  Visit the AUA
  Advocacy Efforts

 
  Members Only
  Username
 
  Password
 
   Forgot Password?

 
 

67th Annual Meeting Abstracts


Fluorescence Optical Imaging of Ureters: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Edouard J Trabulsi1, *Norman Rosenblum2, *Rafay Ahmed2, *Flemming Forsberg2, *Shumin Wang2, Leonard G Gomella1, *Barry B Goldberg2, *Ji-Bin Liu2
1Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA;2Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Objective: To test the feasibility of fluorescence-enhanced optical imaging associated with intravenous methylene blue to assist in the intraoperative visualization of ureters.
Methods: Ten patients undergoing open abdominal surgery were enrolled. Real-time fluorescent images of distal ureters were acquired with an investigational Fluorescence Guided Surgery (FiGS) system (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) after intravenous injection of 1% Methylene blue (2 mg/kg). The ability to identify the ureteral segments, with and without fluorescence-enhanced optical imaging, was visually scored and assessed independently by 2 reviewers for visual conspicuity at 2 different time points on a 5-point scale (1 to 5; worst to best). The duration of contrast enhancement was determined. A non-parametric, Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the results with and without fluorescent dye.
Results: A total of 20 ureters were evaluated with and without fluorescent imaging. Real-time fluorescent imaging clearly demonstrated dye-enhanced distal ureters with peristalsis. Mean score was 2.4±1.71 for reviewer 1 and 2.4±1.57 for reviewer 2 on non-fluorescence imaging while the mean FiGS score was 3.7±1.70 and 3.5±1.77 for reviewers 1 and 2. There was a trend toward significance for higher FiGS scores compared to regular images (p<0.08). There were no differences between the scores of the reviewers (p>0.15). There were 4 ureters not visualized by fluorescent imaging due to overlaying inflammatory tissue or lesions (endometriosis). The duration of the positive enhancement exceeded 120 minutes. No complications occurred.
Conclusion: A new fluorescence-based optical imaging technique has the potential for improving the localization of the ureter during intra-abdominal surgery.


 

 

 
     
     
Copyright © 2010 Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association. All Rights Reserved.
Read Privacy Policy.