Delineating breast ductal carcinoma using combined dye-enhanced wide-field polarization imaging and optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Intra-operative delineation of breast cancer is a challenging problem. We used dye-enhanced wide-field polarization imaging for rapid demarcation of en face cancer margins and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for cross-sectional evaluation. Ductal carcinoma specimens were stained with methylene blue. Wide-field reflectance images were acquired at 440 and 640 nm. Wide-field fluorescence images were excited at 640 nm and registered between 660 nm and 750 nm. OCT images were acquired using a 1310 nm swept-source system. The results were validated against histopathology. Both imaging modalities provided diagnostic information on cancer margins. Combined OCT and wide-field polarization imaging shows promise for intra-operative detection of ductal breast carcinoma.

Keywords: breast cancer; contrast agents; fluorescence; imaging; optical coherence tomography; polarization; reflectance.