Objective: In this study, we investigate the feasibility of the use of aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence in the detection of parathyroid glands in rats.
Background data: The intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands is difficult, which is one of the main reasons for postoperative hypoparathyroidism.
Materials and methods: An animal experiment was designed. Ten Sprague-Dawley (S-D) adult rats were injected intraperitoneally with a 300 mg/kg dosage of 5-ALA. Anesthesia and surgical dissection were performed to expose the thyroid gland 1 h later. Blue light with a wavelength of 405±3 nm was used to light the trachea bilaterally in order to detect parathyroid fluorescence by direct vision. Histology of the fluorescent tissue was performed to confirm parathyroid identification.
Results: Parathyroid gland fluorescence was visualized in all 10 S-D rats. The red fluorescence of the parathyroid glands was located on the posterolateral thyroid glands and could be seen with the naked eye. Histology of the fluorescent tissue confirmed the identification of parathyroid glands under light microscopy.
Conclusions: 5-ALA induced fluorescence of parathyroid glands can clearly differentiate them from the surrounding tissue by direct vision alone. This method could be used intraoperatively and has potential clinical value.