Multiphoton microscopy for structure identification in human prostate and periprostatic tissue: implications in...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pathology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Histopathology is the gold standard for identifying prostatic and periprostatic structures.
• Current methods require tissue excision and processing, delaying intra-operative feedback.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate multiphoton microscopy (MPM) for identifying prostatic and periprostatic structures.
• To compare MPM resolution and magnification to traditional histopathology.

Main Methods:

• 95 patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy participated.
• Excised surgical margins, biopsies, and prostate sections were imaged using a custom-built MPM system.
• MPM images were correlated with hematoxylin/eosin stained histopathology.

Main Results:

• MPM successfully identified prostatic and periprostatic structures, including nerves, blood vessels, capsule, and acini.
• MPM detected pathological changes, including prostate cancer, in unprocessed, unstained tissue.
• Histological correlation validated MPM findings.

Conclusions:

• MPM shows potential for real-time intra-surgical histopathology.
• This technique may eliminate the need for tissue excision and contrast agents.
• Further validation with a miniaturized MPM microendoscope in surgical settings is required.