Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Establishment of a Simple and Effective Rat Model for Intraoperative Parathyroid Gland Imaging
Published on: August 17, 2022
Backscattering intensity measurements in optical coherence tomography as a method to identify parathyroid glands
Sandra Sommerey1, Roland Ladurner1, Norah Al Arabi1
1Department of Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Innenstadt Medical Campus, Nussbaumstrasse 20, Munich, 80336, Germany.
Background And Objective:
Previous studies have shown that the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) permits the differentiation between parathyroid tissue, thyroid tissue, lymph nodes and adipose tissue. We investigated the backscattering intensity profiles of OCT images in order to determine whether significant differences between these tissue types exist.
Methods:
Mean backscattering intensity profiles were obtained from OCT images of parathyroid glands, thyroid tissue, lymph nodes and adipose tissue. The profiles were analyzed employing Fisher's Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The results were cross validated employing improved parameter estimation techniques.
Results:
Mean backscattering intensity profiles from 300 OCT images of 34 patients undergoing thyroid or parathyroid surgery were analyzed. The overall rate of correct classifications was 96.15%. The cross validation employing improved parameter estimation techniques yielded results identical to those derived from Fisher's LDA.
Conclusion:
Besides the individual assessment of OCT images by interpreting morphological criteria, backscattering intensity measurements can reliably distinguish between different tissue entities.
Related Concept Videos
The Parathyroid Glands
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography

