Optical coherence tomography imaging of the basal ganglia: feasibility and brief review

• Published in: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research Vol. 48; no. 12; pp. 1156 - 1159
• Main Authors: Lopez, W O Contreras, Ângelos, J S, Martinez, R C R, Takimura, C K, Teixeira, M J, Lemos Neto, P A, Fonoff, E T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Associacao Brasileira de Divulgacao Cientifica (ABDC) 01.12.2015; Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica
• Subjects: Animals; Basal ganglia; Basal Ganglia - anatomy & histology; BIOLOGY; Brain imaging; Cardiology; Clinical Investigation; Computer Systems - standards; Corpus Striatum - anatomy & histology; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; Feasibility Studies; Health aspects; Histology; Male; Medical examination; Medical imaging equipment; MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL; Ophthalmology; Optical coherence tomography (OCT); Rat brain; Rats, Wistar; Rattus norvegicus; Stereotaxic Techniques; Thalamus; Tomography; Tomography, Optical Coherence - standards; Thalamus; Basal ganglia; Histology; Brain imaging; Optical coherence tomography (OCT); Rat brain
• ISSN: 0100-879X; 1414-431X; 1414-431X
• DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20154679

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising medical imaging technique that uses light to capture real-time cross-sectional images from biological tissues in micrometer resolution. Commercially available optical coherence tomography systems are employed in diverse applications, including art conservation and diagnostic medicine, notably in cardiology and ophthalmology. Application of this technology in the brain may enable distinction between white matter and gray matter, and obtainment of detailed images from within the encephalon. We present, herein, the in vivo implementation of OCT imaging in the rat brain striatum. For this, two male 60-day-old rats (Rattus norvegicus, Albinus variation, Wistar) were stereotactically implanted with guide cannulas into the striatum to guide a 2.7-French diameter high-definition OCT imaging catheter (Dragonfly™, St. Jude Medical, USA). Obtained images were compared with corresponding histologically stained sections to collect imaging samples. A brief analysis of OCT technology and its current applications is also reported, as well as intra-cerebral OCT feasibility on brain mapping during neurosurgical procedures.