Intraoperative Guidance Using Hyperspectral Imaging: A Review for Surgeons

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biochemical Analysis
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an advanced optical technique combining digital photography and spectroscopy.
• It enables non-destructive, contactless biochemical analysis of living tissues.
• HSI provides molecular-level insights into tissue composition, differentiating healthy from pathological states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide clinical surgeons with an overview of hyperspectral imaging (HSI).
• To highlight HSI's capabilities, limitations, and future potential for intraoperative guidance.
• To increase awareness of HSI within the surgical community.

Main Methods:

• Review of hyperspectral imaging principles and applications in medicine.
• Analysis of HSI's use as an intraoperative guidance tool across surgical disciplines.
• Discussion of current challenges and future research directions for HSI in surgery.

Main Results:

• HSI allows for objective, contrast-free discrimination between tissue types and health/pathology states.
• Recent advancements have enabled HSI's application in the operating room as a guidance tool.
• Despite its potential, HSI is not yet widely adopted in routine surgical practice.

Conclusions:

• Hyperspectral imaging holds significant promise for enhancing intraoperative guidance.
• Further education and integration are needed to overcome barriers to routine clinical adoption.
• HSI has the potential to revolutionize surgical decision-making and patient outcomes.