Inhalational Indocyanine Green to Visualize Lung Tumors—Defining the Margin of Error

Phillips and Finley discuss the study by Quan et al on the use of inhalation indocyanine green (ICG) for intraoperative visualization of tumor margins in mouse, rabbit, and human lungs. They provide evidence suggesting that ICG delivered via the endotracheal tube and negative contrast imaging can be used to detect subcentimeter nodules in the pulmonary periphery. Inhaled delivery has the benefits of direct delivery to the lungs, significantly less preparation time, and much lower doses than is required for intravenous use.