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. 2010 Jan-Feb;15(1):016017.
doi: 10.1117/1.3309455.

Detection of vesicant-induced upper airway mucosa damage in the hamster cheek pouch model using optical coherence tomography

Marie J Hammer-Wilson  1 , Vi Nguyen, Woong-Gyu Jung, Yehchen Ahn, Zhongping Chen, Petra Wilder-Smith
Affiliations

Detection of vesicant-induced upper airway mucosa damage in the hamster cheek pouch model using optical coherence tomography

Marie J Hammer-Wilson et al. J Biomed Opt. 2010 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Hamster cheek pouches were exposed to 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide [CEES, half-mustard gas (HMG)] at a concentration of 0.4, 2.0, or 5.0 mg/ml for 1 or 5 min. Twenty-four hours post-HMG exposure, tissue damage was assessed by both stereomicrography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Damage that was not visible on gross visual examination was apparent in the OCT images. Tissue changes were found to be dependent on both HMG concentration and exposure time. The submucosal and muscle layers of the cheek pouch tissue showed the greatest amount of structural alteration. Routine light microscope histology was performed to confirm the OCT observations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stereomicrographs, OCT images, and corresponding histology of HMG treated hamster cheek pouch. Stereo micrographs (left column): Black dotted line=OCT imaging line. Arrows indicate visible blistering. OCT images (center column) and histological sections (right column): Double-ended arrow=maximum tissue depth of the mucosa. Total tissue thickness exceeds capturable OCT image size at the highest HMG concentration; surface epithelial layers are not visible in the OCT image. 1—Keratinized surface layer. 2—Flat stratified squamous epithelium. 3—Submucosa: dense fibrous connective tissue. 4—Longitudinal striated muscle. Calibration bars=1 mm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Tissue response to HMG exposure. Percent increase in total tissue thickness as a function of HMG concentration for 1-min and 5-min exposure times. Data points are mean±SEM.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Tissue response by layer type. Thickness of each tissue layer of the hamster cheek pouch as measured on the OCT images following the application of HMG under various conditions. Values are mean±SEM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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