Can a New Optical Technique Improve Barrett's esophagus Diagnosis?

A new optical imaging technique, developed at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), can provide three-dimensional microscopic views of the inner surfaces of gastrointestinal organs, including the esophagus.

The MGH-Wellman researchers describe in their report using optical frequency-domain imaging (OFDI) to visualize broad areas of the esophagus in living pigs. The researchers state with the optical frequency-domain imaging (OFDI) broad areas of the esophagus can be visualized optical, whereas with the optical coherence tomography (OCT), another noninvasive MGH-developed technology that visualizes much smaller areas.

Among potential applications for OFDI could be diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer. A National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial of OFDI to monitor patients with Barrett's esophagus is currently underway at MGH.

Related resources:

• Optical Frequency-Domain Imaging (OFDI)
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Barrett's Esophagus
• Esophageal Cancer