Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography Enables In Vivo Anatomical and Functional Assessment of Human Tendons.
Ivana IvankovicHsiao-Chun Amy LinAli ÖzbekAna OriveXosé Luís Deán-BenDaniel RazanskyPublished in: Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) (2024)
Tendon injuries resulting from accidents and aging are increasing globally. However, key tendon functional parameters such as microvascularity and oxygen perfusion remain inaccessible via the currently available clinical diagnostic tools, resulting in disagreements on optimal treatment options. Here, a new noninvasive method for anatomical and functional characterization of human tendons based on multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) is reported. Healthy subjects are investigated using a hand-held scanner delivering real-time volumetric images. Tendons in the wrist, ankle, and lower leg are imaged in the near-infrared optical spectrum to utilize endogenous contrast from Type I collagen. Morphology of the flexor carpi ulnaris, carpi radialis, palmaris longus, and Achilles tendons are reconstructed in full. The functional roles of the flexor digitorium longus, hallicus longus, and the tibialis posterior tendons have been visualized by dynamic tracking during toe extension-flexion motion. Furthermore, major vessels and microvasculature near the Achilles tendon are localized, and the global increase in oxygen saturation in response to targeted exercise is confirmed by perfusion studies. MSOT is shown to be a versatile tool capable of anatomical and functional tendon assessments. Future studies including abnormal subjects can validate the method as a viable noninvasive clinical tool for tendinopathy management and healing monitoring.
Keyphrases
- endothelial cells
- rotator cuff
- contrast enhanced
- magnetic resonance imaging
- high speed
- deep learning
- induced pluripotent stem cells
- pluripotent stem cells
- anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- optical coherence tomography
- machine learning
- drug delivery
- convolutional neural network
- current status
- body composition
- case control
- platelet rich plasma
- single molecule
- tissue engineering