Three-dimensional reconstruction of blood vessels from in vivo color Doppler optical coherence tomography images.
OBJECTIVE
Current laser treatment for vascular disorders such as port wine stains can have incomplete or unacceptable results. A customized treatment strategy based on knowledge of the patient's blood vessel structure may effect an improved clinical outcome.


METHODS
We tested the feasibility of using color Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) and image processing techniques to locate, measure and reconstruct cutaneous blood vessels in rat and hamster skin. OCT is a recent, potentially noninvasive technique for imaging subsurface tissue structures with micrometer scale resolution.


RESULTS
Blood vessels were identified in a series of cross-sectional images, then a three-dimensional reconstruction was made. Parameters that can affect optimum laser treatment parameters, such as average blood vessel depth and luminal diameter, were found from the images.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that color Doppler OCT is a potential tool for improving laser treatment of vascular disorders.
Kehlet Barton
J
J
Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. 85721-0104, USA. barton@u.arizona.edu
Izatt
J A
JA
Kulkarni
M D
MD
Yazdanfar
S
S
Welch
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006224:Cricetinae; D020405:Dermis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color