Imaging the mucosa of the human vocal fold with optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
Discerning the layered microstructure of the vocal folds is critical for effective phonomicrosurgery. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a noncontact, noninvasive technology that provides cross-sectional images by means of backscattered light, offers the potential for delineating these layers in vivo.


METHODS
The glottal mucosa of 3 human cadaver larynges was imaged with conventional OCT and polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT). Images were obtained through the epithelium and lamina propria.


RESULTS
Although the superficial layer of the lamina propria appeared quite homogeneous, the outer surface of the superficial lamina propria was correlated with an increase in backscatter with OCT. The superficial lamina propria and vocal ligament were correlated with a marked increase in tissue birefringence with PS-OCT.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study demonstrates the capacity of OCT and PS-OCT for visualizing the layered microstructure of the vocal fold mucosa. We believe that these imaging techniques will have applications in the exploration of solutions to vocal fold scarring and in imaging vocal fold disorders in the clinic and operating room.
Burns
James A
JA
Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Zeitels
Steven M
SM
Anderson
R Rox
RR
Kobler
James B
JB
Pierce
Mark C
MC
de Boer
Johannes F
JF
D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure