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

Abstract

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.

Figure 1. Histological and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of CPu [caudate-putamen (striatum)] and GP (globus pallidus). A, B, coronal sections of rat brain striatum and their corresponding in vivo images on the right side (C, D). OCT images identified tissue types based on the interface between the gray basal nuclei and white matter. Red stars in A and B indicate chosen target; in C, the blue arrows point out a striosome pattern; in D, the blue star indicates the GP, which corresponds to the target on the red star (B). The scale bar corresponds to 200 μm.