The Diagnostic Value of Indocyanine Green in the Assessment of Depth of Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This paper reviews how indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging can help assess burn depth, but finds its accuracy is limited in distinguishing certain burn types.

Contribution

The study systematically evaluates ICG's diagnostic performance for burn depth compared to clinical and histological standards.

Findings

ICG fluorescence imaging showed high accuracy in identifying nonviable tissue in some studies.

ICG-guided assessment reduced or avoided excision in 50% of burn sites in one study.

Differentiation between superficial and deep partial-thickness burns was inconsistent with ICG.

Abstract

Background: Accurate assessment of burn depth remains a clinical challenge and requires specific training. To improve diagnostic accuracy, various technical methods have been developed. This review summarizes current evidence on indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging for burn depth assessment and compares its performance with clinical, histological, and alternative modalities such as Laser Doppler imaging (LDI). Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane and Google Scholar to identify studies evaluating burn depth using ICG fluorescence imaging. Studies from 1995 to 2024 were included if they compared ICG to at least one reference method (clinical assessment, biopsy, or other technical modalities). Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The study selection workflow is shown in the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for systematic reviews. Results: Nine studies with a total of 151 patients, published between 1995 and 2024, met the inclusion criteria. Results were synthesized descriptively due to substantial methodological heterogeneity. Two studies reported high accuracy of ICG fluorescence imaging for identifying nonviable tissue and supporting surgical planning, although differentiation between superficial and deep partial-thickness burns (SPTBs/DPTBs) was inconsistent. In one study, ICGA-guided assessment reduced or avoided excision in 10 of 20 burn sites (50%). Yet heterogeneity in measurement protocols, cut-off values, and reference standards limited comparability across studies. Conclusions: Due to its limited accuracy in differentiating SPTBs and DPTBs, ICG imaging has restricted utility for burn depth assessment, though it may still offer intraoperative benefit during necrosectomy. Registration: PROSPERO International prospective register of SRs by the National Institute of Health Research (CRD420251161190).

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