Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising
medical imaging technique that uses
light to capture real-
time cross-sectional images from
biological tissues in micrometer resolution. Commercially available
optical coherence tomography systems are employed in diverse applications, including
art conservation and diagnostic
medicine, notably in
cardiology and
ophthalmology. Application of this
technology in the
brain may enable distinction between
white matter and
gray matter, and obtainment of detailed images from within the
encephalon. We present, herein, the in vivo implementation of OCT imaging in the
rat brain striatum. For this, two
male 60-day-old
rats (
Rattus norvegicus, Albinus variation, Wistar) were stereotactically implanted with guide cannulas into the striatum to guide a 2.7-French diameter high-definition OCT imaging
catheter (
Dragonfly™, St. Jude Medical, USA). Obtained images were compared with corresponding histologically stained sections to collect imaging samples. A brief
analysis of OCT
technology and its current applications is also reported, as well as intra-cerebral OCT feasibility on
brain mapping during
neurosurgical procedures.