Imaging of the pediatric airway using optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality that uses a broadband light source to produce high-resolution cross-sectional images in living tissue (8-20 microm). A prospective study of normal, benign, and pathologic tissues in the pediatric airway was conducted to assess the utility of OCT technology in characterizing the microanatomy of the pediatric upper aerodigestive tract in vivo.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Fifteen patients from 1 to 17 years of age underwent surgical endoscopy and OCT for various airway disorders. OCT imaging was performed at a frame rate of 1 Hz using a 1.3-microm broadband light source to produce images 1.6 x 6 mm in vertical and horizontal dimensions. The epithelium, lamina propria, and unique tissue microstructures were visualized and then measured using digital micrometry. Direct comparison of OCT images with endoscopic photography was performed.


RESULTS
Systematic imaging of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx was performed in all 15 patients. Normal microstructures identified included papillae, ducts, glands, and vessels, whereas pathologic conditions included distinct zones of mature scar, granulation tissue, edema, ulceration, and papillomatosis. Endoscopic photographs were well correlated with OCT images.


CONCLUSIONS
OCT is capable of obtaining high-resolution microanatomy images of pediatric airway in vivo tissue. OCT clearly identifies the epithelium and lamina propria while providing detailed structural information on normal and diseased tissues. OCT is a promising emerging imaging modality for use in current pediatric patient populations.
Ridgway
James Matthew
JM
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA 92617, USA.
Ahuja
Gurpreet
G
Guo
Shuguang
S
Su
Jianping
J
Mahmood
Usama
U
Chen
Zhongping
Z
Wong
Brian
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*