title: Fluorescence identification of parathyroid glands by aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride in rats.
abstract: 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
  The intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands is difficult, which is one of the main reasons for postoperative hypoparathyroidism.
  
  
  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.
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University, Guang zhou, China. drliuww@gmail.com
authors: Wei Wei
authors: WW
authors: Liu
authors: Chun Qiao
authors: CQ
authors: Li
authors: Zhu Ming
authors: ZM
authors: Guo
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Li
authors: Quan
authors: Q
authors: Zhang
authors: An Kui
authors: AK
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D000818:Animals; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005453:Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid