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Terahertz reflectometry imaging for low and high grade gliomas
Young Bin Ji1, Seung Jae Oh1, Seok-Gu Kang2
1YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Scientific Reports
|October 27, 2016
Summary
Terahertz reflectometry imaging (TRI) offers a new way to detect gliomas during surgery. This label-free method helps surgeons distinguish tumor from healthy brain tissue, improving glioma removal and patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
- Biophysics
Background:
- Gross total resection (GTR) is crucial for glioma patient survival.
- Delineating glioma margins and distinguishing tumors from normal brain tissue, especially low-grade tumors with an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), remains a surgical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a sensitive, label-free terahertz reflectometry imaging (TRI) technique for intraoperative glioma detection.
- To overcome limitations in differentiating tumor tissues and visualizing margins during surgery.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of terahertz reflectometry imaging (TRI).
- Evaluation of TRI's sensitivity in discriminating World Health Organization (WHO) grade II, III, and IV gliomas.
- Analysis based on Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained images.
Main Results:
- TRI demonstrated high sensitivity in discriminating between glioma grades (II, III, IV) and normal brain tissue.
- The technique effectively delineated tumor margins.
- TRI provided clear visualization without the need for contrast agents.
Conclusions:
- Terahertz reflectometry imaging (TRI) is a promising tool for intraoperative glioma detection and margin delineation.
- TRI can assist neurosurgeons in achieving complete tumor resection, potentially improving patient outcomes.
- This label-free imaging modality addresses key limitations in current surgical practices for gliomas.
