Optical coherence tomography in detection of dysplasia and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and bilio-pancreatic ductal system
Open Access
- 1 January 2008
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. in World Journal of Gastroenterology
- Vol. 14 (42), 6444-6452
- https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.6444
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging modality that performs high-resolution, cross-sectional, subsurface tomographic imaging of the microstructure of tissues. The physical principle of OCT is similar to that of B-mode ultrasound imaging, except that it uses infrared light waves rather than acoustic waves. The in vivo resolution is 10-25 times better (about 10 μm) than with high-frequency ultrasound imaging, but the depth of penetration is limited to 1-3 mm, depending upon tissue structure, depth of focus of the probe used, and pressure applied to the tissue surface. In the last decade, OCT technology has evolved from an experimental laboratory tool to a new diagnostic imaging modality with a wide spectrum of clinical applications in medical practice, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pancreatic-biliary ductal system. OCT imaging from the GI tract can be done in humans by using narrow-diameter, catheter-based probes that can be inserted through the accessory channel of either a conventional front-view endoscope, for investigating the epithelial structure of the GI tract, or a side-view endoscope, inside a standard transparent ERCP catheter, for investigating the pancreatico-biliary ductal system. Esophagus and the esophago-gastric junction has been the most widely investigated organ so far; more recently, also duodenum, colon and pancreatico-biliary ductal system have been extensively investigated. OCT imaging of the gastro-intestinal wall structure is characterized by a multiple-layer architecture that permits an accurate evaluation of the mucosa, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, and part of the submucosa. The technique may be, therefore, used to identify pre-neoplastic conditions of the GI tract, such as Barrett's epithelium and dysplasia, and evaluate the depth of penetration of early-stage neoplastic lesions. OCT imaging of the pancreatic and biliary ductal system could improve the diagnostic accuracy for ductal epithelial changes and the differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions.Keywords
This publication has 41 references indexed in Scilit:
- Optical coherence tomography and the detection of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagusGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2005
- In vivo optical coherence tomography imaging of the pancreatic and biliary ductal systemGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2005
- Accuracy of endoscopic optical coherence tomography in the detection of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus: a prospective, double-blinded studyGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2005
- Ultrahigh-resolution and 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography ex vivo imaging of the large and small intestinesGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2005
- Criteria for the diagnosis of dysplasia by endoscopic optical coherence tomographyGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2003
- Comparative optical coherence tomography imaging of human esophagus: How accurate is localization of the muscularis mucosae?Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2002
- High-resolution endoscopic imaging of the GI tract: A comparative study of optical coherence tomography versus high-frequency catheter probe EUSGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2001
- In Vivo Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography of Esophagitis, Barrett's Esophagus, and Adenocarcinoma of the EsophagusEndoscopy, 2000
- High-resolution endoscopic imaging of the GI tract using optical coherence tomographyGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2000
- High-speed optical coherence domain reflectometryOptics Letters, 1992