scholarly journals Investigations on the Potential of Optical Coherence Tomography as an Imaging Tool for Eustachian Tube

Author(s):  
Mei Sun ◽  
Qi Luo ◽  
Wen Xiao ◽  
Yu Gu ◽  
Chan Lan ◽  
...  

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of eustachian tube optical coherence tomography (ET-OCT) for the pharyngeal region of the eustachian tube. Ten subjects with ear complaint accepted ET-OCT with the guidance of nasal endoscopy, and ET-OCT examination was performed on both sides of each subject's eustachian tubes. Operation process and images were analyzed. 10 subjects ranged from 21 to 73 years old (45 ± 14.77) were enrolled in this study. Eighteen ET-OCT imaging were completed. The mean duration of each examination was 2.80 ± 1.62 min (ranged from 2 to 7min). There was no adverse event or complication. In some subjects, the ET-OCT images presented clear eustachian tube wall microstructure, including distinct lumen, mucosa, submucosa, cartilage and plica. But in some subjects, it showed different characteristics, such as unclear hierarchy, secretions in the lumen. ET-OCT may help to distinguish eustachian tube structural composition and elucidate its pathophysiological mechanism. It is a valuable imaging tool suit for the eustachian tube, and it shows potential diagnostic value in determining luminal morphology, intraluminal mucosa and submucosal tissue in the pharyngeal region of the eustachian tube.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Mei Sun ◽  
Jia-Qi Luo ◽  
Zhi-Wen Xiao ◽  
Qing-Yu Gu ◽  
Lin-Chan Lan ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of eustachian tube optical coherence tomography (ET-OCT) for imaging the pharyngeal region of the eustachian tube (ET). Ten subjects with ear complaints underwent ET-OCT guided by nasal endoscopy, and ET-OCT examination was performed on both sides of each subject's ETs. The process and resulting images were analysed. Ten subjects ranging from 21 to 73 years old (45 ± 14.77) were enrolled in this study. Eighteen ET-OCT imaging examinations were completed. The mean duration of each examination was 2.80 ± 1.62 min (ranging from 2 to 7 min). There were no adverse events or complications. In some subjects, the ET-OCT images clearly presented the microstructures of the ET wall, including the lumen, mucosa, submucosa, cartilage and plica. However, in some subjects, it showed different characteristics, such as an unclear hierarchy and secretions in the lumen. ET-OCT may help to distinguish the structural composition of the ET and elucidate related pathophysiological mechanisms. It is a valuable imaging tool suited for the ET, with potential diagnostic value in determining the morphology of the lumen, intraluminal mucosa and submucosal tissue in the pharyngeal region of the ET.


2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Schuon ◽  
B Mrevlje ◽  
B Vollmar ◽  
T Lenarz ◽  
G Paasche

AbstractObjectivesThe cause of Eustachian tube dysfunction often remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the feasibility and possible diagnostic use of optical coherence tomography in the Eustachian tube ex vivo.MethodsTwo female blackface sheep cadaver heads were examined bilaterally. Three conditions of the Eustachian tube were investigated: closed (resting position), actively opened and stented. The findings were compared (and correlated) with segmented histological cross-sections.ResultsIntraluminal placement of the Eustachian tube with the optical coherence tomography catheter was performed without difficulty. Regarding the limited infiltration depth of optical coherence tomography, tissues can be differentiated. The localisation of the stent was accurate as was the lumen.ConclusionThe application of optical coherence tomography in the Eustachian tube under these experimental conditions is considered to be a feasible, rapid and non-invasive diagnostic method, with possible diagnostic value for determining the luminal shape and superficial lining tissue of the Eustachian tube.


Author(s):  
Rajgopal Mani ◽  
Jon Holmes ◽  
Kittipan Rerkasem ◽  
Nikolaos Papanas

Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) is a relatively new technique that may be used to study the substructures in the retina, in the skin and its microcirculation. Furthermore, D-OCT is a validated method of imaging blood flow in skin microcirculation. The skin around venous and mixed arterio-venous ulcers was imaged and found to have tortuous vessels assumed to be angiogenic sprouts, and classified as dots, blobs, coils, clumps, lines, and curves. When these images were analyzed and measurements of vessel density were made, it was observed that the prevalence of coils and clumps in wound borders was significantly greater compared with those at wound centers. This reinforced the belief of inward growth of vessels from wound edge toward wound center which, in turn, reposed confidence in following the wound edge to study healing. D-OCT imaging permits the structure and the function of the microcirculation to be imaged, and vessel density measured. This offers a new vista of skin microcirculation and using it, to better understand angiogenesis in chronic wounds.


2021 ◽  
pp. 247412642199733
Author(s):  
Kyle D. Kovacs ◽  
M. Abdallah Mahrous ◽  
Luis Gonzalez ◽  
Benjamin E. Botsford ◽  
Tamara L. Lenis ◽  
...  

Purpose: This work aims to evaluate the clinical utility and feasibility of a novel scanning laser ophthalmoscope-based navigated ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography (UWF SS-OCT) imaging system. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, consecutive case series evaluated patients between September 2019 and October 2020 with UWF SS-OCT (modified Optos P200TxE, Optos PLC) as part of routine retinal care. The logistics of image acquisition, interpretability of images captured, nature of the peripheral abnormality, and clinical utility in management decisions were recorded. Results: Eighty-two eyes from 72 patients were included. Patients were aged 59.4 ± 17.1 years (range, 8-87 years). During imaging, 4.4 series of images were obtained in 4.1 minutes, with 86.4% of the image series deemed to be diagnostic of the peripheral pathology on blinded image review. The most common pathologic findings were chorioretinal scars (18 eyes). In 31 (38%) eyes, these images were meaningful in supporting clinical decision-making with definitive findings. Diagnoses imaged included retinal detachment combined with retinoschisis, retinal hole with overlying vitreous traction and subretinal fluid, vitreous inflammation overlying a peripheral scar, Coats disease, and peripheral retinal traction in sickle cell retinopathy. Conclusions: Navigated UWF SS-OCT imaging was clinically practical and provided high-quality characterization of peripheral retinal lesions for all eyes. Images directly contributed to management plans, including laser, injection or surgical treatment, for a clinically meaningful set of patients (38%). Future studies are needed to further assess the value of this imaging modality and its role in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating peripheral lesions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Xi Chen ◽  
Mei-Ling Liu ◽  
Kai Cao ◽  
Mayinuer Yusufu ◽  
Jin-Da Wang

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in detecting the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in agerelated macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching Pubmed, Science Direct, Embase and Web of Science. The pooled sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve (sROC), and the total accurate classification rate were used to evaluate OCTA’ diagnostic value of CNV in AMD patients. Results: Seven studies involving 517 eyes were included in the analysis. The mean age of subjects in each study ranged from 58.5 years to 81.7 years. Fluorescein angiography was applied as the gold standard in five studies. There were 350 eyes diagnosed with CNV, OCTA detected 301 eyes correctly, while among the 167 eyes without CNV, OCTA identified 150 correctly. The total accurate classification rate was 87.23%. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.5, indicating that there was no significant threshold effect in the current study (S=8, p=0.103). The pooled sensitivity and pooled specificity were 0.89 (95%CI: 0.82,0.94) and 0.96 (95%CI: 0.85,1.00) respectively. The area under sROC was up to 0.911. Conclusion: The specificity of OCTA for the detection of CNV in AMD patients is extremely high, however, the sensitivity still needs to be improved. In general, the metaanalysis revealed that OCTA had a high diagnostic value for the detection of CNV in AMD patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayoung Byun ◽  
Yeon Hoon Kim ◽  
Jingchao Xing ◽  
Su-Jin Shin ◽  
Seung Hwan Lee ◽  
...  

AbstractImaging the Eustachian tube is challenging because of its complex anatomy and limited accessibility. This study fabricated a fiber-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) catheter and investigated its potential for assessing the Eustachian tube anatomy. A customized OCT system and an imaging catheter, termed the Eustachian OCT, were developed for visualizing the Eustachian tube. Three male swine cadaver heads were used to study OCT image acquisition and for subsequent histologic correlation. The imaging catheter was introduced through the nasopharyngeal opening and reached toward the middle ear. The OCT images were acquired from the superior to the nasopharyngeal opening before and after Eustachian tube balloon dilatation. The histological anatomy of the Eustachian tube was compared with corresponding OCT images, The new, Eustachian OCT catheter was successfully inserted in the tubal lumen without damage. Cross-sectional images of the tube were successfully obtained, and the margins of the anatomical structures including cartilage, mucosa lining, and fat could be successfully delineated. After balloon dilatation, the expansion of the cross-sectional area could be identified from the OCT images. Using the OCT technique to assess the Eustachian tube anatomy was shown to be feasible, and the fabricated OCT image catheter was determined to be suitable for Eustachian tube assessment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sabrina Bergeron ◽  
Bryan Arthurs ◽  
Debra-Meghan Sanft ◽  
Christina Mastromonaco ◽  
Miguel N. Burnier Jr.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging has been used as a diagnostic tool for retinal disease for several years, and OCT apparatuses are becoming increasingly powerful. However, OCT has yet to reach its full potential in ophthalmology clinics. Alike retinal layers, it has been shown that OCT is able to generate cross-sectional images of the skin and allows visualization of skin lesions in a histopathology-like manner. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aim to validate OCT as an imaging modality for peri-ocular skin cancer. Through a series of cases, we highlight findings for 3 common eyelid malignancies: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and sebaceous carcinoma. We propose an OCT image-based signature for basal cell carcinoma. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a prospective study. Fifty-eight lesions suspicious of malignancy from 57 patients were subjected to OCT imaging prior to the surgical excision of the lesion. OCT images were analysed and scored according to previously identified OCT features. Eight representative examples are presented, highlighting the OCT patterns for each malignancy side by side to its corresponding histopathological sections. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Out of the 58 lesions analysed, 53 were malignant. A loss of the dermal-epidermal junction is observed in all malignant lesions. A strong link is observed between the presence of subepithelial hyporeflective nests on OCT and the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (present in 83% of cases). Conversely, lesions of epithelial origin such as squamous cell carcinoma are most often represented on OCT by acanthosis. Two supplementary cases, one basal cell carcinoma and one sebaceous carcinoma, are provided to illustrate how OCT imaging is a valuable tool in cases where clinical observations may be unusual. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> We provide evidence supporting the use of OCT for the evaluation of peri-ocular cancers. OCT enables visualization of the skin layers in vivo, before biopsy. Our results show that certain OCT features can contribute to include or exclude a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. By integrating this non-invasive imaging methodology into the routine assessment of peri-ocular skin lesions, especially in health care centres where access to specialists is limited, OCT imaging can increase clinical precision, reduce delays in patient referral and enhance patient care.


2021 ◽  
pp. 159101992110034
Author(s):  
Andre Monteiro ◽  
Demetrius K Lopes ◽  
Amin Aghaebrahim ◽  
Ricardo Hanel

Purpose Flow-diverters have revolutionized the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, offering a durable solution to aneurysms with high recurrence rates after conventional stent-assisted coiling. Events that occur after treatment with flow-diversion, such as in-stent stenosis (ISS) are not well understood and require further assessment. After assessing an animal model with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), we propose a concept that could explain the mechanism causing reversible ISS after treatment of intracranial aneurysms with flow-diverters. Methods Six Pipeline Flex embolization devices (PED-Flex), six PED with Shield technology (PED-Shield), and four Solitaire AB devices were implanted in the carotid arteries (two stents per vessel) of four pigs. Intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images obtained on day 21 were compared to histological specimens. Results A case of ISS in a PED-Flex device was assessed with OCT imaging. Neointima with asymmetrical topography completely covering the PED struts was observed. Histological preparations of the stenotic area demonstrated thrombus on the surface of device struts, covered by neointima. Conclusion This study provides a plausible concept for reversible ISS in flow-diverters. Based on an observation of a previous experiment, we propose that similar cases of ISS are related to thrombus presence underneath endothelization, but further experiments focused on this phenomenon are needed. Optical Coherence Tomography will be useful tool when available for clinical use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Sun ◽  
Jianfeng Wang ◽  
Jindou Shi ◽  
Stephen A. Boppart

AbstractPolarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is a high-resolution label-free optical biomedical imaging modality that is sensitive to the microstructural architecture in tissue that gives rise to form birefringence, such as collagen or muscle fibers. To enable polarization sensitivity in an OCT system, however, requires additional hardware and complexity. We developed a deep-learning method to synthesize PS-OCT images by training a generative adversarial network (GAN) on OCT intensity and PS-OCT images. The synthesis accuracy was first evaluated by the structural similarity index (SSIM) between the synthetic and real PS-OCT images. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the computational PS-OCT images was validated by separately training two image classifiers using the real and synthetic PS-OCT images for cancer/normal classification. The similar classification results of the two trained classifiers demonstrate that the predicted PS-OCT images can be potentially used interchangeably in cancer diagnosis applications. In addition, we applied the trained GAN models on OCT images collected from a separate OCT imaging system, and the synthetic PS-OCT images correlate well with the real PS-OCT image collected from the same sample sites using the PS-OCT imaging system. This computational PS-OCT imaging method has the potential to reduce the cost, complexity, and need for hardware-based PS-OCT imaging systems.


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