title: Evaluation of bladder microvasculature with high-resolution photoacoustic imaging.
abstract: We explored the potential of an emerging laser-based technology, photoacoustic imaging (PAI), for bladder cancer diagnosis through high-resolution imaging of microvasculature in the bladder tissues. Imaging results from ex vivo canine bladders demonstrated the excellent ability of PAI in mapping three-dimensional microvasculature in optically scattering bladder tissues. By comparing the results from human bladder specimens affected by cancer to those from the normal control, the feasibility of PAI to differentiate malignant from benign bladder tissues was also explored. The distinctive morphometric characteristics of tumor microvasculature can be seen in the images from cancer samples, suggesting that PAI may allow in vivo assessment of neoangiogenesis that is closely associated with bladder cancer generation and progression. By presenting subsurface morphological and physiological information in bladder tissues, PAI, when performed in a similar way as in conventional endoscopy, provides an opportunity for improved diagnosis, staging, and treatment guidance of bladder cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Zhixing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Xueding
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods; D008833:Microcirculation; D055806:Microvessels; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology