Scientific Reports (Feb 2024)

High-resolution rectoscopy using MHz optical coherence tomography: a step towards real time 3D endoscopy

  • Berenice Schulte,
  • Madita Göb,
  • Awanish Pratap Singh,
  • Simon Lotz,
  • Wolfgang Draxinger,
  • Marvin Heimke,
  • Mario pieper,
  • Tillmann Heinze,
  • Thilo Wedel,
  • Maik Rahlves,
  • Robert Huber,
  • Mark Ellrichmann

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55338-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Colonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound play pivotal roles in the assessment of rectal diseases, especially rectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a superior depth resolution, which is a critical factor for individualizing the therapeutic concept and evaluating the therapy response. We developed two distinct rectoscope prototypes, which were integrated into a 1300 nm MHz-OCT system constructed at our facility. The rapid rotation of the distal scanning probe at 40,000 revolutions per minute facilitates a 667 Hz OCT frame rate, enabling real-time endoscopic imaging of large areas. The performance of these OCT-rectoscopes was assessed in an ex vivo porcine colon and a post mortem human in-situ colon. The OCT-rectoscope consistently distinguished various layers of the intestinal wall, identified gut-associated lymphatic tissue, and visualized a rectal polyp during the imaging procedure with 3D-reconstruction in real time. Subsequent histological examination confirmed these findings. The body donor was preserved using an ethanol-glycerol-lysoformin-based technique for true-to-life tissue consistency. We could demonstrate that the novel MHZ-OCT-rectoscope effectively discriminates rectal wall layers and crucial tissue characteristics in a post mortem human colon in-situ. This real-time-3D-OCT holds promise as a valuable future diagnostic tool for assessing disease state and therapy response on-site in rectal diseases.