Virtual biopsy of the joint tissues using near‐infrared, reflectance confocal microscopy. A pilot study

Abstract

Standard noninvasive imaging techniques applied to joints provide gross morphological features, insufficient for assessing histological detail. On the other hand, biopsying is invasive, time consuming, and may involve unwanted processing artifacts. Near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy is a technique that allows serial, high-resolution optical sectioning through intact tissues without employing exogenous fluorescent stains. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential utility of near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy for providing immediate histological information on meniscus, articular cartilage, epiphyseal plate, bone, muscle, and tendon. Images from near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy were compared with mirror routine histology sections. Characteristic architectural features were readily visualized in the three dimensions of space. Additionally, the use of experimental contrast agents highlighted the localization of nuclei. Limitations include penetration depth and minor optical artifacts. In conclusion, near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy is a useful technique for immediate, nondestructive, serial "virtual" sectioning through intact tissues, being thus a potential adjunct to current imaging techniques in orthopedics.

Tissue Engineered Cartilage Integration to Live and Devitalized Cartilage: A Study by Reflectance Mode Confocal Microscopy and Standard Histology

“…For the present study we used a commercialized nearinfrared, reflectance confocal microscope (VivaScope 1999, Lucid, Henrietta, NY, USA) based on an original prototype constructed in our laboratories [15][16][17][18][19]. This microscope has been classified by the Food and Drug Administration as a pathological-type microscope and is cleared for imaging unstained tissue (CFR 21# 846-3600).…”

Comprehensive imaging of gastroesophageal biopsy samples by spectrally encoded confocal microscopy

“…RCM has been successfully used in imaging various types of human tissues, including esophageal, 15,16 gastric, 15,16 cervical, 17,18 skin, 19,20 joint, 21 and breast tissues. 22 In RCM, characteristic cellular and architectural features were rapidly visualized at video rates.…”