The Cytoscan model E-II in intraoperative parathyroid gland identification in a rabbit model.
BACKGROUND
Intraoperative parathyroid gland identification and preservation is often a challenge even in the hands of experienced surgeons as they could be indistinguishable from fat or thyroid tissue.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to demonstrate the use of the Cytoscan Model E-II, which uses orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging technology, as an intravital microscope in identifying parathyroid glands intraoperatively and differentiating the parathyroid glands from fat and thyroid tissue in a rabbit model.


METHODS
The necks of 4 New England white rabbits were explored with the animals under a general anesthesia. The Cytoscan was used to obtain images of the vasculature of tissue suspected to be parathyroid, fat, and thyroid tissue. These were confirmed by histologic evaluation.


RESULTS
All tissues were correctly identified by the Cytoscan and confirmed by histologic analysis. There was an obvious difference in the images obtained of fatty tissue as compared with parathyroid tissues. There was also an appreciable difference between parathyroid and thyroid tissue based on the difference in vascularity.


CONCLUSIONS
OPS imaging technology can be used in identifying parathyroid glands based on the difference in vascularity from fat and the pattern and density of vessels when compared with thyroid tissue in a rabbit model.


CONCLUSIONS
The Cytoscan may play a future role in real time intraoperative identification of human parathyroid glands. Future investigation is warranted.
Sofola
I O
IO
Naval Hospital, Rota, Spain.
Pazos
G A
GA
Buttolph
T B
TB
Casler
J D
JD
Leonard
D W
DW
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006652:Histological Techniques; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011817:Rabbits; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects