Optical coherence tomography in gynecology

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive diagnostics technique facilitates high resolution imaging of biotissues at depths up to 2 mm and offers utility in gynecology practice. The customized probes provide an array of benefits, such as precision in diagnosis and treatment planning, of OCT use in this specialty.

Additionally, OCT accurately records morphologic and functional changes and the technique is user friendly. Customized OCT probes, when combined with other diagnostic modalities provide additional diagnostic information. For example, in cases with tumor pathologies, OCT detects the stage of the disease and assists in the treatment planning. OCT is also deemed efficient in detecting latent forms of inflammation and reproductive disorders in females.

OCT technique also shows promise in other specialties like – dermatology, localized pathologies. Furthermore, diagnostic accuracy can be gained by advanced OCT modalities, for instance – polarization-sensitive OCT – that provides information about birefringent properties of tissues and OCT-angiography allowing for high-resolution mapping of microcirculation within tissues.

Source: Journal of Biomedical Optics. 2017 Dec;22(12):1-9. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.22.12.121709.