Optical-thermal simulation of tonsillar tissue irradiation.
OBJECTIVE
Despite laser applications targetted toward tonsillar tissue, there has been no characterization of underlying optical and thermal events during laser irradiation of tonsillar tissue.


METHODS
The optical properties of canine and human tonsils were determined at 805 nm (diode laser) and 1,064 nm (Nd:YAG laser). An optical-thermal simulation was developed to predict the temperature rise in irradiated human tonsils.


RESULTS
The optical properties of human and canine tonsillar tissue are similar at both wavelengths. The optical-thermal simulation was validated and predicts that at 10 W and 1 minute of irradiation, the heat will be contained within the human tonsil. The diode laser causes more superficial heating than the Nd:YAG laser.


CONCLUSIONS
The safety of irradiating human tonsils was shown. The diode laser is superior to the Nd:YAG laser because less heat affects collateral structures. The optical-thermal simulation detailed in this study can be used to predict the temperature rise in tissues undergoing irradiation.
Shah
R K
RK
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. banuandrahul@aol.com
Nemati
B
B
Wang
L V
LV
Shapshay
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012449:Safety