Fluorescence-Imaging of Nerves - A Novel Trial of Intraoperative Nerve-Preservation

Nerve-preservation technique during surgery is important. Intraoperative nerve injury often causes permanent palsy or numbness and/or neurogenic functional disorders. To evade such intraoperative nerve injuries, we proposed a novel manner to specifically visualize peripheral nerve fibers. Low-toxic agents clinically available, amphotericin B(AmB)or fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)were used as neuro-indicators. In in vitro, we used Schwann cells as nerve models to basically confirm these agents effectively functioned as neural markers. In in vivo, we examined whether this novel method was clinically applicable. The Schwann cells reacted with AmB or FITC emitted blue or yellow-green fluorescence in a dark environment. The rat nerve models also fluorescently glimmered in blue-tone when each agent was given. These data suggested that we could clinically discriminate nerve fibers from the surrounding tissues. Our fluorescent-imaging methods warrant further studies for clinical applications.