RESUMO
High resolution imaging of gynaecological tissue offers the potential for identifying pathological changes at early stages when interventions are more effective. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution high speed optical imaging technology which is analogous to ultrasound B-mode imaging except reflections of light are detected rather than sound. The OCT technology is capable of being integrated with laparoscopy for real-time subsurface imaging. In this report, the feasibility of OCT for differentiating normal and pathologic laparoscopically-accessible gynaecologic tissue is demonstrated. Differentiation is based on architectural changes of in vitro tissue morphology. OCT has the potential to improve conventional laparoscopy by enabling subsurface imaging near the level of histopathology.
Assuntos
Endometriose/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Ovarianas/diagnóstico , Tomografia/métodos , Estudos de Viabilidade , Feminino , Humanos , Laparoscopia , Óptica e Fotônica/instrumentaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A modality capable of imaging the female reproductive tract, at or near the cellular level, could lead to the detection of diseases at earlier stages than currently possible. Optical coherence tomography achieves high resolutions in the cellular range (4-20 microm) and could accomplish that level of detection. METHOD: Optical coherence tomography imaging of gynecologic tissue was studied in vitro on normal and neoplastic human cervical and uterine tissue. EXPERIENCE: The structures of the normal ectocervix and endocervix, including epithelium, basal membrane, and glands, were identified clearly. These findings were compared with changes associated with carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. The optical coherence tomography images of the uterus also showed changes between microstructural features of normal tissue and endometrial adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography of tissue microstructures showed potential for powerful, minimally invasive assessment of the female reproductive tract at a resolution greater than any current clinical imaging method.
