Three-dimensional imaging of skin melanoma in vivo by dual-wavelength photoacoustic microscopy

Abstract

Abstract. Dual-wavelength reflection-mode photoacoustic microscopy is used to noninvasively obtain three-dimensional ͑3-D͒ images of subcutaneous melanomas and their surrounding vasculature in nude mice in vivo. The absorption coefficients of blood and melaninpigmented melanomas vary greatly relative to each other at these two optical wavelengths ͑764 and 584 nm͒. Using high-resolution and high-contrast photoacoustic imaging in vivo with a near-infrared ͑764-nm͒ light source, the 3-D melanin distribution inside the skin is imaged, and the maximum thickness of the melanoma ͑ϳ0.5 mm͒ is measured. The vascular system surrounding the melanoma is also imaged with visible light ͑584 nm͒ and the tumor-feeding vessels found. This technique can potentially be used for melanoma diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning.

Non-Invasive Determination of Breslow Index

“…Lateral and axial resolutions as well as penetration depth were reported to be 45 μm, 15 μm and 3 mm respectively. Oh et al report good agreement with histometric measurements of melanomas obtained on mice after human melanoma cells xenografted subcutaneously (Oh, Li et al 2006).…”

Photoacoustic imaging of tumor targeting with riboflavin-functionalized theranostic nanocarriers

“…An exponential decline in the PA signal intensity with the increase of injection depth (d, mm) was observed, which is in accordance with the previously published data from Repenko et al 36 The ICG liposome signal was clearly resolved till the depth of 10 mm, which is the relevant depth for subcutaneous tumor xenografts in mice. 37 Such a signal depth is also appropriate for several clinical applications such as monitoring of drug delivery to superficial skin tumors 38 as well as endoscopic detection of gastrointestinal tumors, 8 but certainly is not the limit that can be achieved in vivo.…”

Whole-body three-dimensional optoacoustic tomography system for small animals

“…16 Since aggressively growing tumors are densely vascularized, optoacoustic systems have been used in the past to image various tumors on the macroscopic and microscopic scales. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] In cancer research using orthotopic models, in which primary tumors are induced in the internal organs and their metastases spontaneously appear in various parts of the animal body, whole-body imaging is desirable. Whole-body mouse imaging may enable the detection of tumors in internal organs, not only subcutaneous tumors.…”