Objectives: To present our experience using the first commercially available optical coherence tomography (OCT) device for use in the head, neck, and upper aerodigestive tract and to determine the feasibility and efficacy of this system in comparison with our previous experience using other research OCT systems.
Methods: Using the Niris OCT imaging system (Imalux, Cleveland, OH), we obtained OCT images of benign and premalignant laryngeal disease in 33 patients undergoing surgical head and neck endoscopy. This imaging system has a spatial depth resolution of 10 to 20 mum and a depth scanning range of 2.2 mm, obtaining images of 200 x 200 pixels at a maximum frame rate of 0.7 Hz. The scanning mechanism of the device is located at the distal end of a flexible probe that is placed in contact or near-contact with the area of interest. The tip of the probe was inserted through a rigid laryngoscope, and still images were obtained.
Results: OCT images of arytenoids, aryepiglottic folds, piriform sinus, epiglottis, and true and false vocal cords were obtained. In patients whose OCT images were taken from normal tissue, the normal microstructures were clearly identified, as well as disruption of the latter in malignant pathologies.
Conclusions: The device can easily be incorporated into the operating room and requires minimal set-up and staff to operate. OCT imaging with this device potentially offers an efficient, quick, and reliable imaging modality in guiding surgical biopsies, intraoperative decision making, and therapeutic options of various laryngeal pathologies and premalignant disease.