Vital-dye enhanced fluorescence imaging of GI mucosa: Metaplasia, neoplasia, inflammation

Nadhi Thekkek, Timothy Muldoon, Alexandros D. Polydorides, Dipen M. Maru, Noam Harpaz, Michael T. Harris, Wayne Hofstettor, Spiros P. Hiotis, Sanghyun A. Kim, Alex Jenny Ky, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Rebecca Richards-Kortum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Confocal endomicroscopy has revolutionized endoscopy by offering subcellular images of the GI epithelium; however, the field of view is limited. Multiscale endoscopy platforms that use widefield imaging are needed to better direct the placement of high-resolution probes. Design: Feasibility study. Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility of a single agent, proflavine hemisulfate, as a contrast medium during both widefield and high-resolution imaging to characterize the morphologic changes associated with a variety of GI conditions. Setting: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, and Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York. Patients, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measurements: Resected specimens were obtained from 15 patients undergoing EMR, esophagectomy, or colectomy. Proflavine hemisulfate, a vital fluorescent dye, was applied topically. The specimens were imaged with a widefield multispectral microscope and a high-resolution microendoscope. The images were compared with histopathologic examination. Results: Widefield fluorescence imaging enhanced visualization of morphology, including the presence and spatial distribution of glands, glandular distortion, atrophy, and crowding. High-resolution imaging of widefield abnormal areas revealed that neoplastic progression corresponded to glandular heterogeneity and nuclear crowding in dysplasia, with glandular effacement in carcinoma. These widefield and high-resolution image features correlated well with the histopathologic features. Limitations: This imaging approach must be validated in vivo with a larger sample size. Conclusions: Multiscale proflavine-enhanced fluorescence imaging can delineate epithelial changes in a variety of GI conditions. Distorted glandular features seen with widefield imaging could serve as a critical bridge to high-resolution probe placement. An endoscopic platform combining the two modalities with a single vital dye may facilitate point-of-care decision making by providing real-time, in vivo diagnoses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)877-887
Number of pages11
JournalGastrointestinal endoscopy
Volume75
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Gastroenterology

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