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Portrait of Sophia Zackrisson. Photo

Sophia Zackrisson

Research group manager, Principal investigator, Professor, MD

Portrait of Sophia Zackrisson. Photo

Clinical translation of a novel photoacoustic imaging system for examining the temporal artery

Author

  • Rafi Sheikh
  • Magnus Cinthio
  • Ulf Dahlstrand
  • Tobias Erlov
  • Magdalena Naumovska
  • Bjorn Hammar
  • Sophia Zackrisson
  • Tomas Jansson
  • Nina Reistad
  • Malin Malmsjo

Summary, in English

The objective was to provide a clinical setup for photoacoustic imaging (PAI) of the temporal artery in humans and to describe the challenges encountered and methods of overcoming them. The temporal artery was examined in 7 patients with suspect giant cell arteritis (GCA), both in vivo and ex vivo, and the results were compared to that of histology. To adapt PAI to human studies, the transducer was fixed to an adjustable arm to reduce motion artifacts and a stepping motor was developed to enable 3D scanning. Risks associated with the use of lasers, ultrasound, and electrical equipment were evaluated by measuring energy levels, and safety precautions were undertaken to prevent injury to the patients and staff. The PAI spectra obtained clearly delineated the artery wall, both in vivo and ex vivo, although the latter were of higher quality due to the lack of artifacts. The results could be compared to that of histology. The energy levels involved were found to be below limits given in regulatory standards. Eye protectors prevented irradiation of the patient’s eyes, and visual function after the procedure was found not to be affected. The patients reported no discomfort during the investigations. PAI provides images of the temporal artery wall that may be used for the future diagnosis of GCA in humans. The technique could be further refined by addressing the specific problems of motion artefacts and interference from blood and other chromophores. This study paves the way for other clinical applications of PAI.

Department/s

  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Ophthalmology, Lund
  • Radiology Diagnostics, Malmö
  • Biomedical Engineering, Lund
  • Atomic Physics

Publishing year

2019

Language

English

Pages

472-480

Publication/Series

IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control

Volume

66

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Topic

  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Keywords

  • Arteries
  • Artery
  • Biopsy
  • Imaging
  • In vivo
  • Medical diagnostic imaging
  • Photoacoustic imaging
  • Temporal arteritis
  • Three-dimensional displays
  • Transducers
  • Ultrasonic imaging

Status

Published

Research group

  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • Radiology Diagnostics, Malmö

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0885-3010