Diagnose human colonic tissues by terahertz near-field imaging

J Biomed Opt. 2015 Mar;20(3):036017. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.3.036017.

Abstract

Based on a terahertz (THz) pipe-based near-field imaging system, we demonstrate the capability of THz imaging to diagnose freshly surgically excised human colonic tissues. Through THz near-field scanning the absorbance of the colonic tissues, the acquired images can clearly distinguish cancerous tissues from healthy tissues fast and automatically without pathological hematoxylin and eosin stain diagnosis. A statistical study on 58 specimens (20 healthy tissues and 38 tissues with tumor) from 31 patients (mean age: 59 years; range: 46 to 79 years) shows that the corresponding diagnostic sensitivity and specificity on colonic tissues are both 100%. Due to its capability to perform quantitative analysis, our study indicates the potential of the THz pipe-based near-field imaging for future automation on human tumor pathological examinations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colon / diagnostic imaging*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / methods
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Terahertz Imaging / methods*