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Preliminary Establishment of a Method and System for Detecting Neural Tumor Boundaries Based on Optical Coherence
Jiuhong Li1,2, Jinwei Li1, Gonggong Lu1,2
1Department of Neurosurgery West China Hospital of Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China.
Abstract:
Surgical intervention is vital for treating neural system tumors, with precise intraoperative determination of tumor boundaries crucial for safe and effective surgery. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), offering noninvasive, real-time imaging, presents a promising solution. This study developed a swept-source OCT system using a 1310 nm wavelength laser, enhanced by microelectromechanical systems technology for improved scanning accuracy. Neural tumor specimens and peritumoral tissues were analyzed, alongside evaluations in animal models, including rats and mice with gliomas, schwannomas, and meningiomas, to assess the system's real-time surgical application. Results revealed significantly lower light attenuation in human glioma samples than in peritumoral tissues (p = 0.019), with an receiver operating characteristic curve area under the curve of 0.846. Gliomas exhibited higher pixel values and gentler trend line slopes (p < 0.001). Animal models showed the OCT system was capable of detecting nerves and their epineurium located deep to schwannomas and meningiomas (at depths <3 mm), which appeared as thin, tubular, or crescent-shaped images with higher density compared with the surrounding tissue. These findings highlight the OCT system's ability to differentiate tumor from nontumoral tissues, demonstrating its potential as a handheld tool for precise boundary detection in neurosurgery. This advancement represents a promising step toward improving the accuracy of tumor resection.
Insights
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) precisely identifies neural tumors during surgery. This new swept-source OCT system effectively distinguishes tumor from healthy tissue, enhancing surgical accuracy and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Accurate tumor boundary delineation is critical for safe and effective neurosurgery.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers noninvasive, real-time imaging for intraoperative guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a swept-source OCT system for real-time neural tumor boundary detection.
- To assess the system's ability to differentiate between neural tumors and surrounding healthy tissues.
Main Methods:
- Development of a swept-source OCT system utilizing a 1310 nm laser and MEMS technology.
- Analysis of human neural tumor and peritumoral tissue specimens.
- In vivo evaluation in rodent models (gliomas, schwannomas, meningiomas).
Main Results:
- OCT demonstrated significantly lower light attenuation in glioma samples compared to peritumoral tissues (AUC=0.846).
- Gliomas showed distinct imaging characteristics (higher pixel values, gentler slopes) compared to normal tissues.
- The system successfully visualized nerves deep to tumors in animal models.
Conclusions:
- The developed OCT system can accurately differentiate neural tumors from surrounding tissues.
- This technology shows potential as a handheld tool for precise intraoperative boundary detection in neurosurgery.
- Advancements in OCT imaging can improve tumor resection accuracy and patient safety.
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