fluorescein + methylene blue

Fluorescein + methylene blue is a combination of two diagnostic dyes used primarily in medical imaging and surgical procedures. Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound that exhibits intense fluorescence under ultraviolet or blue light, making it useful for visualizing structures such as blood vessels or lymphatics during diagnostic angiography or intraoperative mapping. Methylene blue is a thiazine dye with both staining and therapeutic properties; it acts as a visible marker in tissues and can also be detected by its own fluorescent properties. The combination of these agents has been studied for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer surgery, where they are injected to help identify sentinel lymph nodes for excision and pathological examination. This dual-dye approach leverages the distinct visualization characteristics of each dye—fluorescence from fluorescein and vivid coloration from methylene blue—to improve detection rates while maintaining safety[1][3]. Both agents have established safety profiles when used at appropriate doses.

Other names

fluorescein and methylene bluefluorescein combined with methylene blue