Different orders of scattering through time-resolved Mueller matrix imaging estimates of pre-malignancy in human cervical tissues

Abstract

Time-resolved Mueller matrix (MM) imaging polarimetry in transmission mode has been implemented in both epithelium and stromal regions of cervical tissues to explore the various polarization dynamics in connection with the diagnosis of cervical precancer. The picosecond-resolved intensity patterns of various MM elements, resulting from the various orders of scattering, at different time delays provide clear demarcation between the epithelium and stroma of cervical tissue. The time dependent depolarization and retardance maps are seen to differentiate the epithelium from stroma. The average values of time dependent linear, linear-45, and circular depolarization and linear, circular, and scalar retardance parameters in different regimes of scattering from the optically anisotropic stromal region identify the pre-malignancy in cervical tissue. As the disease evolves, time dependent linear depolarization varies to larger values as compared to time dependent circular depolarization. Interestingly, the chirality of the collagen network that rotates the plane of polarized light in either direction in normal samples is limited to only the clockwise direction during the progression of the disease. These results show potential in the early detection and understanding of the mechanisms of morphological changes in cervical cancer development.

Polarization multi-parametric imaging method for the inspection of cervix cell

“…In addition, polarization-based imaging methods have also shown great potential in detecting structural and optical information about the tissues and cells [12][13][14][15][16]. As a result of their capability of obtaining abundant structural information of the tissue, polarization techniques are promising techniques for early screening and identification of cancers [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Here, we propose a fast polarization-based multiparametric method, Polarization Indirect Microscopic Imaging (PIMI), for the inspection of cervical cells with nano-structural resolving power and sensitivity.…”

Optical imaging for early detection of cervical cancer: state of the art and perspectives

“…describe that polarization dynamics can be studied to differentiate between epithelium and stroma of cervical tissue. The study further explains the differentiation between the two types of tissue based on the picosecond result intensity patterns at different time delays recorded with the Mueller matrix polarimeter 47 . Zaffar et al., in the follow-up study, described that the orientations of collagen fibers randomize during disease progression.…”

“…The study further explains the differentiation between the two types of tissue based on the picosecond result intensity patterns at different time delays recorded with the Mueller matrix polarimeter. 47 Zaffar et al., in the follow-up study, described that the orientations of collagen fibers randomize during disease progression. The orientations have been acquired in the form of matrix images, which have been analyzed using the Fourier domain.…”

Cervical pre-cancer detection through wavelet denoising and random forest classification

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Fluorescence spectroscopy is sensitive to the changes in the molecular environment of the fluorophore and has been extensively used to monitor biochemical changes taking place during the progression of cancer. [12][13][14][15][16][17] Absorption and scattering in tissue modify the fluorescence spectrum leading to loss of vital i nformation. Several groups have developed experimental, analytical, and simulation-based techniques to extract intrinsic fluorescence and applied it to study biochemical changes during cancer progression.…”