Loretta Scolaro

Imaging of Breast Cancer With Optical Coherence Tomography Needle Probes: Feasibility and Initial Results

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging modality with the potential to provide in situ assessment to distinguish normal from cancerous tissue. However, limited image penetration depth has restricted its utility. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of an OCT needle probe to perform interstitial imaging deep below the tissue surface. The side-facing needle probe comprises miniaturized focusing optics consisting of no-core and GRIN fiber encased within either a 22- or 23-gauge needle. 3-D OCT volumetric data sets were acquired by rotating and retracting the probe during imaging. We present the first published image of a human breast cancer tumor margin, and of human axillary lymph nodes acquired with an OCT needle probe. Through accurate correlation with the histological gold standard, OCT is shown to enable a clear delineation of tumor boundary from surrounding adipose tissue, and identification of microarchitectural features.

Imaging of Human Lymph Nodes Using Optical Coherence Tomography: Potential for Staging Cancer

Histologic assessment is the gold standard technique for the identification of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes in malignant disease, but can only be performed ex vivo and often results in the unnecessary excision of healthy lymph nodes, leading to complications such as lymphedema. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution, near-IR imaging modality capable of visualizing microscopic features within tissue. OCT has the potential to provide in vivo assessment of tissue involvement by cancer. In this morphologic study, we show the capability of OCT to image nodal microarchitecture through an assessment of fresh, unstained ex vivo lymph node samples. Examples include both benign human axillary lymph nodes and nodes containing metastatic breast carcinoma. Through accurate correlation with the histologic gold standard, OCT is shown to enable differentiation of lymph node tissue from surrounding adipose tissue, reveal nodal structures such as germinal centers and intranodal vessels, and show both diffuse and well circumscribed patterns of metastatic node involvement.

Parametric imaging of cancer with optical coherence tomography

We present a parametric optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique to improve contrast between malignant and healthy non-neoplastic tissue. The technique incorporates a fully automated method to extract tissue attenuation characteristics. Results are represented visually as a parametric en face image, where the parameter used for contrast is indicative of the relative optical attenuation coefficient of the tissue. We present the first parametric OCT images of human lymph nodes containing malignant cells, and demonstrate improved tissue contrast over en face OCT images.

Parametric imaging of the local attenuation coefficient in human axillary lymph nodes assessed using optical coherence tomography

We report the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine spatially localized optical attenuation coefficients of human axillary lymph nodes and their use to generate parametric images of lymphoid tissue. 3D-OCT images were obtained from excised lymph nodes and optical attenuation coefficients were extracted assuming a single scattering model of OCT. We present the measured attenuation coefficients for several tissue regions in benign and reactive lymph nodes, as identified by histopathology. We show parametric images of the measured attenuation coefficients as well as segmented images of tissue type based on thresholding of the attenuation coefficient values. Comparison to histology demonstrates the enhancement of contrast in parametric images relative to OCT images. This enhancement is a step towards the use of OCT for in situ assessment of lymph nodes.

Fibrin phantom for use in optical coherence tomography

This work presents a novel tissue-mimicking phantom for use in a range of optical coherence tomography (OCT) experiments. Such phantoms are critical in the development and assessment of new OCT techniques, but no previously published phantoms have become universally accepted. We present the first description of a phantom based on a fibrin matrix, which improves key attributes of previously published methods. It provides a biocompatible, optically transparent scaffold in which to incorporate organic and/or inorganic optical scattering materials. Its fabrication time is markedly shorter than many common phantoms, and its lifetime is longer than other biocompatible phantoms. The potential of fibrin phantoms incorporating Intralipid() to introduce uniform optical scattering is demonstrated. The measured attenuation coefficient as a function of Intralipid concentration confirms the ability to control optical scattering. A bilayer phantom with distinct optical scattering in each layer is also presented.

Molecular imaging needles: dual-modality optical coherence tomography and fluorescence imaging of labeled antibodies deep in tissue

Molecular imaging using optical techniques provides insight into disease at the cellular level. In this paper, we report on a novel dual-modality probe capable of performing molecular imaging by combining simultaneous three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT) and two-dimensional fluorescence imaging in a hypodermic needle. The probe, referred to as a molecular imaging (MI) needle, may be inserted tens of millimeters into tissue. The MI needle utilizes double-clad fiber to carry both imaging modalities, and is interfaced to a 1310-nm OCT system and a fluorescence imaging subsystem using an asymmetrical double-clad fiber coupler customized to achieve high fluorescence collection efficiency. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first dual-modality OCT and fluorescence needle probe with sufficient sensitivity to image fluorescently labeled antibodies. Such probes enable high-resolution molecular imaging deep within tissue.

Optical coherence tomography can assess skeletal muscle tissue from mouse models of muscular dystrophy by parametric imaging of the attenuation coefficient

We present the assessment of ex vivo mouse muscle tissue by quantitative parametric imaging of the near-infrared attenuation coefficient µt using optical coherence tomography. The resulting values of the local total attenuation coefficient µt (mean ± standard error) from necrotic lesions in the dystrophic skeletal muscle tissue of mdx mice are higher (9.6 ± 0.3 mm(-1)) than regions from the same tissue containing only necrotic myofibers (7.0 ± 0.6 mm(-1)), and significantly higher than values from intact myofibers, whether from an adjacent region of the same sample (4.8 ± 0.3 mm(-1)) or from healthy tissue of the wild-type C57 mouse (3.9 ± 0.2 mm(-1)) used as a control. Our results suggest that the attenuation coefficient could be used as a quantitative means to identify necrotic lesions and assess skeletal muscle tissue in mouse models of human Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Mapping Tissue Optical Attenuation to Identify Cancer Using Optical Coherence Tomography

The lymphatic system is a common route for the spread of cancer and the identification of lymph node metastases is a key task during cancer surgery. This paper demonstrates the use of optical coherence tomography to construct parametric images of lymph nodes. It describes a method to automatically estimate the optical attenuation coefficient of tissue. By mapping the optical attenuation coefficient at each location in the scan, it is possible to construct a parametric image indicating variations in tissue type. The algorithm is applied to ex vivo samples of human axillary lymph nodes and validated against a histological gold standard. Results are shown illustrating the variation in optical properties between cancerous and healthy tissue.

A review of optical coherence tomography in breast cancer

Abstract Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a medical imaging modality that opens up new opportunities for imaging in breast cancer. It provides two- and three-dimensional micro-scale images of tissue structure from bulk tissue, in vivo or freshly excised without labeling or staining, is capable of video-rate acquisition speeds, and is compatible with compact imaging probes. In this paper, the authors briefly describe OCT technology and describe in detail its capabilities for imaging breast cancer. Potential applications identified in current research are discussed, particularly in the assessment of excised breast tumors. It is concluded that OCT shows promise for margin assessment and biopsy guidance but that much more research and validation is required to confirm its level of utility.

Microscope-in-a-needle technology for deep-tissue 3D imaging

Practical micro-imaging deep in solid tissues will open up new avenues in research on clinical diagnosis and treatment of disease. We report on our recent advances in optical microscope-in-a-needle technology capable of 3D micro-imaging in situ.