The clinical application of optical coherence tomography for head and neck premalignant/malignant lesions

The principle of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is based on the property of light coherence. OCT generates cross-sectional images of two-dimensional objects to obtain in-vitro and in-vivo images of tissues. Non–commercially available OCT systems, which have a higher resolution and scanning rate,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hamdoon, Z. G.
Published: University College London (University of London) 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.626102
Description
Summary:The principle of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is based on the property of light coherence. OCT generates cross-sectional images of two-dimensional objects to obtain in-vitro and in-vivo images of tissues. Non–commercially available OCT systems, which have a higher resolution and scanning rate, have been previously reported. However, some clinical research has already been conducted using the first commercially available OCT device (Niris system) to image the larynx; but applications on oral and skin tissue have not been tested yet. This thesis aims to explore, compare and validate three specific types of commercially available OCT equipment for imaging head and neck tissue. An animal cancer model has been used to verify the feasibility of one system (Niris) to differentiate normal from malignant oral tissue, using in-vivo tissue samples. Since images of oral tissue samples didn’t show much structure using the Niris system, a different machine (Michelson Diagnostic bench based) with different specifications and resolution was employed. Great emphasis has been put on validating OCT structurally and histomorphometrically in comparison to the gold standard of pathology. This was tested and validated with ex-vivo oral and skin tissues using the lab based version of the machine. Use of an upgraded system (Michelson vivo sight with probe) has been tested on abnormal oral and skin biopsy tissue but with different timing for the scan (instant ex- vivo). One original study evaluated and classified tongue papilla atrophy from patients having their suspicious tongue lesions biopsied. In conclusion, this thesis concludes that the new version of this commercially approved OCT system can be applied to the diagnosis of superficial premalignant and malignant oral and skin lesions in-vitro. Furthermore, OCT holds the promise of complementing surgery to eradicate tumors and monitor the consequences.