The adverse effects of indigo carmine

A case of diencephalic dysregulation is reported during urological endoscopy following the intravenous administration of indigo carmine. It should be kept in mind that according to the literature, indigo carmine has severe side-effects on the cardiovascular system caused by vasoconstriction. Ergotamine-like effects of indigo carmine due to direct vasoconstriction with spasm of the cerebral arteries are discussed.     

Pulse dye densitometry using indigo carmine is useful for cardiac output measurement, but not for circulating blood volume measurement

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the validity of a newly developed pulse dye densitometer for indigo carmine for measuring cardiac output and circulating blood volume. METHODS: Measurements of cardiac output and circulating blood volume were performed with the indigo carmine densitometer during normovolaemia, hypovolaemia and hypervolaemia in nine mongrel dogs under general anaesthesia. The validity was evaluated by comparison of the values of cardiac output and circulating blood volume obtained by the thermodilution technique and the 51Cr-labelled red blood cell method, respectively. We also examined indigo carmine removal by continuous veno-venous haemofiltration after indigo carmine injection. RESULTS: There was good agreement between dye densitometer- and thermodilution-derived cardiac output (r = 0.885, P < 0.001). The bias and limits of agreement of these values were 0.09 and+/-1.07 L min(-1) (2 SD, n 22), respectively. The dye-densitometer-derived circulating blood volume was greater than that of the 51Cr-labelled red blood cell method, and both values showed weak agreement (r = 0.587, P < 0.027). The sieving coefficient of indigo carmine through continuous veno-venous haemofiltration was 0.34+/-0.06. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that indigo carmine densitometry is a reliable method for cardiac output determination, but it overestimates circulating blood volume, probably due to the transition of indigo carmine into the extravascular space in the systemic circulation.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy using indigo carmine blue dye and the validity of '10% rule' and '4 nodes rule'

This is the study which assessed sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) using indigo carmine blue dye and the validity of the '10% rule' and '4 nodes rule'. Patients (302) were performed SNB using the combined radioisotope (RI)/indigo carmine dye method. Excised SLNs were confirmed whether they were stained and numbered in order of RI count and the percentage of radioactivity as compared to the hottest node was calculated. The relationship between histological diagnosis, dyeing and RI count was assessed. All the patients were detected SLN. Positive nodes were identified in 84 (27.8%) patients and were identified up to the third degree of hottest. All the hottest positive nodes were stained by indigo carmine. From the results, removing the three most radioactive SLNs identified all cases of nodal metastasis without complications. These stopping rules were valid and useful under indigo carmine use too.     

基层医院开展内镜下黏膜切除术的临床体会

目的探讨基层医院开展内镜下黏膜切除术的特点与注意事项。方法回顾性分析2009年1月至2011年12月我们对结直肠黏膜可疑病灶行内镜下黏膜切除术的17例患者的临床资料。结果结直肠黏膜可疑病灶的17例患者均行的内镜下黏膜切除术,取材完整;病理检查均为早期结直肠癌,切缘无癌浸润;创面出血少。结论在基层医院对结直肠黏膜可疑病灶行内镜下黏膜切除术是能够一次性完成诊断与治疗的,具有费用低、操作简单的应用价值。     

Acute hemodynamic effects of indigo carmine in the presence of compromised cardiac function

This report describes the acute hemodynamic effects of indigo carmine in a surgical patient with compromised cardiac function. A 68-year-old woman with stable but severe cardiac dysfunction and renal artery stenosis was scheduled for an elective aortorenal bypass procedure. No hemodynamic instability occurred during the operation until the patient was administered intravenous (IV) indigo carmine 5 ml. At that time, the patient experienced an acute increase in afterload, which resulted in acute left ventricular failure documented by a decrease in cardiac output (CO) and an increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). Until further studies defining the mechanism for its hypertensive side effect are performed, indigo carmine should be used with caution in patients with severe cardiac dysfunction.     

Life-threatening reaction to indigo carmine – A sulfa allergy?

Indigo carmine is commonly used during cystoscopy when evaluating for lower urinary tract safety after gynecologic surgery. We report a case of severe hypotension and bradycardia following intravenous indigo carmine injection in a patient with known sulfa allergy.     

Life-threatening anaphylactoid reaction associated with indigo carmine intravenous injection

Indigo carmine (sodium indigotindisulfonate), a blue dye, has been widely used by surgeons to identify and to examine the urinary tract and is considered biologically inert and extremely safe. We present a case of severe life-threatening anaphylactoid reaction followed by cardiac arrest associated with intravenous indigo carmine injection.     

The prevention and treatment of suppurative-septic complications in patients with acute appendicitis

In the experiment on mongrel dogs, the absorption of indigo carmine dye after its retroperitoneal administration with 10% dimexide solution into the lymphatic and venous systems was studied. More rapid delivery of a dye into the portal system, including the cases with portal hypertension, and into the lymphatic system was established. A method for retroperitoneal administration of antibiotics with 10% dimexide solution for prevention and treatment of purulent-septic complications in patients with acute appendicitis has been developed. The method was used in 120 patients, the result of treatment is good.     

Incidence of lower urinary tract injury at the time of total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of and risk factors for injury to the lower urinary tract during total laparoscopic hysterectomy. METHODS: All patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2005, at an academic medical center are included. Subjects undergoing laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, supracervical hysterectomy, or hysterectomy for malignancy were excluded. Intraoperative cystoscopy with intravenous indigo carmine was routinely performed. Relevant data were abstracted to determine the incidence of lower urinary tract injury, predictors of injury, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed in 126 consecutive subjects. Two (1.6%) cystotomies were noted and repaired before cystoscopy was performed. Two (1.6%) additional cystotomies were detected during cystoscopy. Absent ureteral spill of indigo carmine was detected in 2 subjects: 1 (0.8%) with previously unknown renal disease and 1 (0.8%) with ureteral obstruction that was relieved with subsequent suture removal. Only 40% (2/5) of injuries were recognized without the use of cystoscopy with indigo carmine. The overall incidence of injury to the lower urinary tract was 4.0%. No subjects required postoperative intervention to the lower urinary tract within the 6-week perioperative period. Performing a ureterolysis was associated with an increased rate (odds ratio 8.7, 95%CI, 1.2-170, P=0.024) of lower urinary tract injury. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should consider performing cystoscopy with intravenous indigo carmine dye at the time of total laparoscopic hysterectomy.     

Vascular orientation by intra-arterial dye injection during spinal arteriovenous malformation surgery

OBJECTIVE: Rich and complicated vascular structures on the spinal cord often interfere with obliteration of a spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Vascular orientation during spinal AVM surgery is essential. The authors recently performed six consecutive spinal AVM surgeries in five patients (two with perimedullary AVMs, and three with dural arteriovenous fistulae) with the aid of intra-arterial injection of dye (indigo carmine). METHODS: Two representative cases are described. A microcatheter was placed preoperatively in the artery of interest. Subsequent to the exposure of the vascular complex, a 1-ml injection of indigo carmine (2 mg/ml) clearly demonstrated the feeding arteries and the draining veins around the AVM or dural arteriovenous fistula. RESULTS: One patient had repeat surgery because of incomplete obliteration of the AVM owing to migration of the catheter. All patients, except one who had temporary postoperative deterioration and persistent neurological deficits, had good surgical outcomes, however. No apparent side effects caused by the dye were reported. CONCLUSION: The assistance system for spinal AVM surgery is easy and safe and can be applied in other surgical institutions.     

Intraoperative detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients using ultrasonography-guided direct indocyanine green dye-marking by real-time virtual sonography constructed with three-dimensional computed tomography-lymphography

PurposeThis study aims to determine the utility of ultrasonography (US)-guided direct dye-marking of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by real-time virtual sonography (RVS) constructed with three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT)-lymphography (LG).Patients and methodsWe identified SLNs in 258 clinically node-negative breast cancer patients using an RVS system to display in real time a virtual multiplanar reconstruction CT image obtained from CT volume data corresponding to the same cross-sectional image from US. CT volume data were obtained using our original 3D CT-LG, which accurately detects SLNs in breast cancer. We then perform US-guided dye-marking close to SLNs using indocyanine green (ICG). Subsequently, indigo carmine blue dye was injected into the subareolar and peritumoral areas around each primary tumor. All patients underwent SLN biopsy and SLN metastases were examined pathologically.ResultsIn all 258 patients, we were able to detect the same SLNs visualized on 3D CT-LG, using the RVS system. We detected ICG close to SLNs in 257 of 258 patients (99.6%) during SLN biopsy. In 25 patients (9%), we failed to follow the blue lymphatic route stained by indigo carmine and SLNs were not stained by indigo carmine, but easily detected SLNs by ICG marking.ConclusionUS-guided direct ICG dye-marking of SLNs using this RVS system seems useful for the detection of SLNs, allowing easy detection of SLNs even when the stained lymphatic route is not followed.     

The role of preoperative oral vitamin B in the cystoscopic assessment of ureteric patency

Introduction and hypothesis  

The objective of this study is to determine whether oral vitamin B can be used as a marker of ureteric patency at cystoscopy, and thereby reduce the need for intraoperative intravenous indigo carmine.     

Patent blue versus methylene blue and indigo carmine as a better dye for chromodiscography: in vitro staining efficacy and cytotoxicity study using bovine coccygeal intervertebral discs

BACKGROUND CONTEXTChromodiscography is an integral part of full-endoscopic discectomy (FED), comprising ordinary discography with radiopacity produced by contrast medium and intradiscal stain for visualizing annular defects in the endoscopic field. Nevertheless, concerns remain about the cytotoxicity of the stains used. The study of their staining efficacy is also lacking.PURPOSETo evaluate the feasibility of methylene blue, patent blue, and indigo carmine for intradiscal injection, investigate the effectiveness of each dye, and define critical concentration with adequate staining efficacy and tolerable cytotoxicity for use in chromodiscography during FED.STUDY DESIGNAn experimental in vitro study.METHODSDye stock solutions were prepared from powder. The stock was diluted with culture medium or balanced saline and used for cytotoxicity or intervertebral disc staining assays, respectively. Bovine tails were obtained from the local slaughterhouse and functional spine units of intervertebral discs were acquired by transverse incision at the disc level. Each disc was punctured over the posterolateral aspect using a surgical knife to simulate an annular defect. The intradiscal injection was performed with each dye at different concentrations using a 22G needle from the contralateral aspect of the punctured site. Staining efficacy was quantified using ImageJ software. Primary cells of bovine tails were cultivated in each dye at different concentrations. Cytotoxicity was assessed 24 hours after stain exposure using the CCK-8 toxicity assay.RESULTSStaining efficacy and cytotoxicity were proportional to the concentration of tested dyes. Lower limits of concentration producing significant staining efficacy of indigo carmine, methylene blue, and patent blue were 0.25 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL, and 0.05 mg/mL, respectively. Compared with controls, concentrations showing significant toxicity for indigo carmine, methylene blue, and patient blue were 1 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL, and 2.5 mg/mL, respectively.CONCLUSIONSPatent blue can serve as a more suitable tissue stain than either indigo carmine or methylene blue due to the widest range of tradeoff concentration within 0.05 to 2.5 mg/mL.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEPatent blue with the characteristic of good staining efficacy and lower cytotoxicity may be a promising option for chromodiscography during FED.     

Laparoscopic resection of a non-communicating uterine rudimentary horn using intra-operative indigocarmine injection: A case report

Introduction and importanceAn unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating rudimentary horn (UUNCRH) is a very rare uterine malformation which is difficult to diagnose and to decide the surgical plan. We aim to describe the case of pediatric UUNCRH patient and our operative technique of laparoscopic intra-uterus indigo carmine injection (LIUICI) to confirm that the rudimentary horn (RH) is non-communicating before the resection and review the relevant literature to ascertain the most appropriate treatment option in these patients.Case presentationA 11-year-old girl who developed progressive severe abdominal pain and dysmenorrhea was referred to our hospital. Uterine malformation and right hematosalpinx was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pre-operative treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist enabled improvement in the symptoms. Laparoscopic exploration was scheduled. The right fallopian tube was resected laparoscopically and a 3Fr tube was inserted into its cut end. Indigo carmine injected in the RH through the tube. No leakage of indigo carmine was found from the vagina, indicating the diagnosis of the uterine malformation is an UUNCRH and we performed the resection of the RH safely.Clinical discussionIn pediatric patients transvaginal detailed examination is not easy to perform. Therefore, diagnostic and operative laparoscopy is critically important for the safe treatment. In addition, laparoscopic removal of a RH can be used to decrease the incidence of adhesions.ConclusionWe found LIUICI technique before the resection of the RH is safe, technically feasible and minimally invasive approach for pediatric UUNCRH patients.     

Report of case: Partial ureteral obstruction masked by diuretics during intraoperative cystoscopy

Injury to the lower urinary tract is a potential complication in all major vaginal and urogynecologic surgical procedures. Several authors have recommended the routine use of intraoperative cystoscopy during urogynecologic procedures. To evaluate possible injury to the lower urinary tract during intraoperative cystoscopy, the concomitant use of diuretics with indigo carmine dye has been advocated; efflux of dye is hypothesized to indicate functional patency of the urinary tract. This report describes a case in which a partial ureteral obstruction was present at the time of intraoperative cystoscopy--despite the observation of diuresis caused by furosemide. This case indicates that the efflux of indigo carmine-stained urine from both ureteral orifices is not conclusive evidence of the absence of ureteral insult during intraoperative cystoscopy.     

Nonvisualization of intravenous methylene blue in patients with clinically normal renal function

Urologists use intravenous dyes in diagnosing genitourinary fistulas and in investigating ureteral patency. Methylene blue and indigo carmine are the most common dyes used today. Generally, patients with clinically normal renal function demonstrate dye in their urine after several minutes. We report on 2 patients in whom methylene blue was not visualized after intravenous injection. A review of urologic and pharmacologic published reports led to a possible explanation for this phenomenon. Methylene blue can metabolize into leukomethylene blue, which is colorless in urine. Indigo carmine, however, is not readily metabolized but is rather freely filterable by the kidneys. Therefore, it is important to appreciate that nonvisualization of methylene blue may be a metabolism effect and not an anatomic one.     

Aids in diagnosis of suspect ectopic ureters in female patients

When suspected ectopic ureters cannot be visualized by conventional methods, such as excretory urogram, nephrotomograms, or by intravenous indigo carmine, then direct injection of vaginal, suburethral, or paraurethral "swellings," which are in effect dilated terminal ureters, may confirm the diagnosis.     

Thoracoscopic repair of peritoneopleual communication with a giant diaphragmatic bullae in a patient with liver cirrhosis; report of a case

Hepatic hydrothorax is defined as pleural effusion in patients with a cirrhotic liver. The pleural effusion occurs due to ascites flowing to the pleural cavity through a diaphragmatic communication. Recent literature has described the usefulness of a thoracoscopic repair and has shown that it can control pleural effusion very efficaciously. The patient was a 65-year-old woman who complained of dyspnea and was admitted to our hospital. A chest X-ray revealed marked right pleural effusion. We injected indigo carmine intraperitoneally and observed indigo carmine-colored pleural effusion; thus peritoneopleural communication was validated. After the failure of thoracic drainage and pleurodesis with minocycline hydrochloride, thoracoscopic surgery was performed 5 weeks after hospitalization. Obvious bulla formation was observed on the diaphragm, which was immediately resected with linear staplers. The postoperative course was excellent without any recurrence of pleural effusion.     

The effect of intravenous indigo carmine on near-infrared cerebral oximetry

The effects of IV-administered dyes on pulse oximetry have been well described. However, the effects on near-infrared cerebral oximetry have not been well documented. We report a series of four patients undergoing radical prostatectomy who were monitored with cerebral oximetry during surgery. After the administration of indigo carmine, intraoperative desaturations were observed for an extended period. Because clinical use of near-infrared cerebral oximetry is increasing, anesthesiologists should be aware of this issue.     

Aortic surgery and horseshoe kidney: a challenging surgical problem

Horseshoe kidney is a rare abnormality that complicates aortic surgery. Three such cases are presented and the literature is reviewed. Although the diagnosis was not made preoperatively in any patient, all were managed safely. Two patients required preservation of abnormal renal arteries and one required division of the renal isthmus for exposure. Special attention is drawn to the need for lateral angiographic projections of this condition and to the intraoperative injection of indigo carmine dye to delineate the proper line of division of the renal isthmus.