Optical coherence tomography (OCT)/optical Doppler tomography (ODT) provides real-time in vivo high-resolution (10-microm) imaging of tissues and real-time spatially resolved blood flow in microvasculature. Hamster cheek pouches with induced dysplasia and malignancies were imaged with OCT/ODT to assess the potential for application to airway malignancy. In 22 Golden Syrian hamsters, 0.5% 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene induces carcinogenesis over 10 weeks in right side cheek pouches; the left side three served as controls. The cheek pouches are imaged in vivo prior to sacrifice, and in vitro after excision, using a prototype 1310-nm broadband superluminescent diode based OCT/ODT device. Images are compared to standard histopathology. OCT imaging offers good resolution of the hamster cheek pouches to depths of 1 to 3 mm and paralleled histologic images. The feasibility of high-resolution functional imaging is demonstrated in this hamster cheek pouch tumor model. ODT accurately detects vascular change associated with carcinogenesis.

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BackgroundCurrent imaging methods are limited in the detection and characterization of pleural and subpleural disease processes. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides real-time in-vivo high-resolution imaging capabilities of 10 to 20 micrometers for the lung pleura and subpleura.PurposeWe constructed a prototype super-luminescent diode OCT system and small flexible fiberoptic probes to thoracoscopically detect pleural and subpleural tumors.MethodsPleural and subpleural sarcoma tumors were induced in New Zealand White Rabbits, and in-vivo thoracoscopic OCT images of lung tumors were acquired. Histologic sections of the imaged tumor and in-vivo OCT images were compared.ResultsIn-vivo OCT imaging offered high resolution images of pleural lung tumor with the ability to detect sub-pleural and pleural margins in real time. (figure)Figures(A) video image of OCT probe; (B) histologic section of OCT imaged tumor. Bar = 500μm; (C) OCT image; (D) figure captions for Fig C, T-tumor; A-aveoli; P-image of probe sheath.ConclusionOCT is a promising new technology that enables near histological resolution for in-vivo pleural tumor detection. The ongoing development of higher resolution (1-2um) OCT systems will further advance these capabilities.

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