Question  Can an intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging technique be used to detect lung tumor margin via inhalation delivery of indocyanine green?

Findings  In this diagnostic study, the fluorescent signal of inhaled indocyanine green was observed throughout healthy lung tissue but was rarely detected in tumor tissue. Inhalation at a 20-fold lower dose of indocyanine green had a 2-fold higher efficiency for tumor margin detection compared with the intravenous injection of indocyanine green.

Meaning  Image-guided surgery based on low-dose indocyanine green inhalation appears to facilitate rapid, long-term visualization of the tumor margin of lung tumors.