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Using synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography to study tissue damage by laser irradiation
Alan M Robinson1, Stuart R Stock2, Carmen Soriano3
1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave., Searle 12-561, Chicago 60611, Illinois.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|August 24, 2016
Summary
X-ray micro-computed tomography rapidly identifies laser-induced tissue damage, offering advantages over histology. This non-destructive method enhances surgical laser evaluation by analyzing fresh, intact tissues.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Biophysics
- Laser surgery
Background:
- Assessing laser-induced tissue damage is crucial for surgical laser development.
- Classical histology is time-consuming and requires tissue sectioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for locating and characterizing laser-induced tissue damage.
- To compare micro-CT with classical histology for this application.
Main Methods:
- Cadaveric animal tissues were ablated using a CO2 laser.
- Synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast and micro-CT were used for imaging.
- Fiji (ImageJ) software quantified ablation and coagulation zones from 3D renderings.
Main Results:
- Micro-CT rapidly identified laser ablation, vacuolization, carbonization, and thermal coagulation.
- Quantification of ablation and coagulation volumes was faster than with histology.
- Analysis was possible on fresh, hydrated, non-sectioned tissues.
Conclusions:
- Non-destructive micro-CT effectively visualizes and analyzes laser-induced tissue damage without sectioning.
- This technique can improve the evaluation of new surgical lasers and their tissue effects.
