title: 3D optical coherence tomography of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia--early experience and some pitfalls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two different systems for optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis of cervical dysplasia and to assess potential benefits of three-dimensional imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  OCT images were taken from unsuspicious and suspicious areas of fresh conisation specimens using two different imaging systems, one with the capability to produce three-dimensional images. All OCT images were separately evaluated by two blinded investigators based on a 6-grade classification (normal, inflammation, CIN 1, CIN 2, CIN 3, squamous carcinoma) and later compared to the corresponding histology. Sensitivity and specificity of OCT in detecting cervical dysplasia were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OCT images using both OCT systems were taken from 46 sites in ten conisation specimens and later compared to the corresponding histology. CIN lesions were diagnosed correctly by the two-dimensional OCT system with a sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 78% accordingly. Using the three-dimensional system sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 86% accordingly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both OCT systems used were highly sensitive in identifying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Despite technical problems experienced in the present series, we believe that three-dimensional imaging has the potential to further improve the accuracy of optical coherence tomography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich. Juliagallwas@aol.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallwas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaschler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stepp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dannecker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology