First in vivo visualization of the human subarachnoid space and brain cortex via optical coherence tomography

Abstract

The present work explores optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a suitable in vivo neuroimaging modality of the subarachnoid space (SAS). Patients ( n = 26) with frontolateral craniotomy were recruited. The temporal and frontal arachnoid mater and adjacent anatomical structures were scanned using microscope-integrated three-dimensional OCT, (iOCT). Analysis revealed a detailed depiction of the SAS (76.9%) with delineation of the internal microanatomical structures such as the arachnoid barrier cell membrane (ABCM; 96.2%), trabecular system (50.2%), internal blood vessels (96.2%), pia mater (26.9%) and the brain cortex (96.2%). Orthogonal distance measuring was possible. The SAS showed a mean depth of 570 µm frontotemporal. The ABCM showed a mean depth of 74 µm frontotemporal. These results indicate that OCT provides a dynamic, non-invasive tool for real-time imaging of the SAS and adjacent anatomical structures at micrometer spatial resolution. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the value of OCT during microsurgical procedures.

Spatial distribution of human arachnoid trabeculae

“…In order to image subdural layers of the meninges via OCT, removal of the 54 skull is necessary. This limits in vivo characterization of the human brain to small regions 55 exposed during surgical procedures (Hartmann et al, 2019). To characterize the PAC across the 56 entire brain, post-mortem subjects must be used.…”

“…To our knowledge, Hartmann et al 2019 is the only study to date to report in vivo imaging of the human arachnoid trabeculae. Imaging of the subarachnoid space in their study was performed intraoperatively and limited to a single region of interest for each subject in either the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain.…”

Optics Based Label-Free Techniques and Applications in Brain Monitoring

“…Hartmann et al [152] experimented the visualization of the human subarachnoid space and brain cortex explored using OCT as a suitable in vivo neuroimaging modality of subarachnoid space. Patients (n = 26) with front lateral craniotomy were experimented on.…”

Ex-vivo Quantification of Ovine Pia Arachnoid Complex Biomechanical Properties Under Uniaxial Tension

“…The present study kept the samples hydrated with artificial CSF. Hartmann et al developed the only known technique for invivo human SAT visualization and reported the depths of different neural structures [54]. This technique could be modified to obtain SAT morphological parameters.…”