Article
Optical coherence tomography of central nervous system tissues: A pilot study for a new guiding technique for neurosurgical resection of brain tumors
Optische Kohärenztomografie von Gewebe des ZNS: Eine Pilotstudie für ein neues Verfahren zur Resektionskontrolle bei Hirntumoren
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Published: | April 23, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
Optical coherence tomography (OTC) is a non-invasive imaging technique for tissue structures with a resolution accurate to micrometers. OCT can operate with no tissue contact and similar to ultrasound B-mode imaging can generate images based on the reflection of infrared light using the inherent optical tissue contrast. We evaluated this technology for analysis of central nervous system tissues as a potential adjunct for the detection of residual tumor during resection of brain tumors.
Methods
We used a 1300nm radiation directed through a modified rigid lens endoscope to analyse native and formalin-fixed biopsy specimens of normal brain, meningeomas, metastatic brain tumors and gliomas of different grades of malignancy.
Results
Imaging of normal cortical tissues allowed visualization of arachnoid and pial layers and cortical micro vessels. Cortex or white matter could be delineated from solid tumor tissue of neuroectodermal tumors or metastatic brain tumors by its appearance on OCT imaging and by a quanitiative anlysis of the inherent optical tissue contrast. Similar to intraoperative ultrasound, OCT imaging characteristics of a normal brain changes with the onset of contusion.
Conclusions
Optical coherence tomography allows a no-contact analysis of central nervous system tissues with a penetration depth of 2-3 mm with a spatial resolution of approximately 15 µm. Reconstruction of the OCT image allows detection of the distortion of the normal tissue architecture by tumors and the analysis of the optical tissue characteristics allows a quantitative analysis of changes in tissue density differentiating normal tissue, invading tumor cells, or solid tumor.