Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Tracheal Inflammation

摘要

Methods for obtaining real-time in-vivo histologic resolution non- invasive endoscopic optical imaging would be a major advance for pulmonary diagnostics and treatment in civilian and military medical applications. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a rapidly evolving technology based on near infrared interferometry that may provide these capabilities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using OCT for detecting airway pathology in a septic animal model. Tracheas of New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated endobronchially with varying concentrations of live Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. After development of pneumonia/sepsis, the animals were sacrificed. OCT tracheal images and subsequent histological preparations of these experimental animals were compared to control rabbit tracheas for morphological features and quantitative tracheal mucosal thicknesses measurements. Results revealed significant airway mucosal thickening in the experimental group consistent with tracheal edema. Morphological changes, including epithelial sloughing and glandular proliferation, were evident in regions of the experimental tracheas. This study suggests that OCT is a potentially valuable imaging modality capable of evaluating superficial airway pathology with high resolution in-vivo. Numerous applications of OCT can be envisioned in the realm of combat casualty medicine and may substantially increase the precision and accuracy of current bronchoscopic diagnostic techniques.