Intraoperative Near - infrared Indocyanine Green Videoangiography

Fluorescence angiography was first used by ophthalmologists to measure retinal blood flow by using the fluorescent dye fluorescein. Feindel et al.1,2 were the first to apply the concept of fluorescence angiography to the intraoperative visualisation of cerebral vertebral arteries and cerebral microcirculation in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures.3,4 With the use of indocyanine green (ICG) as a novel fluorescent dye, and its integration into a compact system that takes advantage of modern video technology, fluorescence angiography has recently re-emerged as a viable option.5,6 Raabe et al.5,6 were the first to demonstrate that ICG videoangiography is suitable for the intraoperative assessment of cerebral vascular flow, thereby providing a useful adjunct for the intraoperative control of vessel patency and aneurysm occlusion during standard aneurysm surgery. Woitzik et al.7 also showed the efficacy of ICG videoangiography during extracranial–intracranial bypass surgeries.