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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Nov 16, 2013; 5(11): 540-550
Published online Nov 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i11.540
Imaging pancreatobiliary ductal system with optical coherence tomography: A review
Mohammad S Mahmud, Gray R May, Mohammad M Kamal, Ahmed S Khwaja, Carry Sun, Alex Vitkin, Victor XD Yang
Mohammad S Mahmud, Carry Sun, Victor XD Yang, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biophotonics and Bioengineering Lab, Ryerson University, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada
Ahmed S Khwaja, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada
Gray R May, Division of Gastroenterology, Saint Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada
Mohammad M Kamal, Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka 1200, Bangladesh
Alex Vitkin, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario Cancer Institute/University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 2M9, Canada
Author contributions: Mahmud MS prepared the article; May GR and Kamal MM provided technical supports during the study; Khwaja AS, Sun C and Vitkin A reviewed the manuscript; Yang VXD provided support of finance.
Correspondence to: Mohammad S Mahmud, PhD, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biophotonics and Bioengineering Lab, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada. ssujann1@gmail.com
Telephone: +1-647-8854428 Fax: +1-416-9795280
Received: May 28, 2013
Revised: September 23, 2013
Accepted: October 15, 2013
Published online: November 16, 2013
Abstract

An accurate, noninvasive and cost-effective method of in situ tissue evaluation during endoscopy would be highly advantageous for the detection of dysplasia or early cancer and for identifying different disease stages. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, high-resolution (1-10 μm) emerging optical imaging method with potential for identifying microscopic subsurface features in the pancreatic and biliary ductal system. Tissue microstructure of pancreaticobiliary ductal system has been successfully imaged by inserting an OCT probe through a standard endoscope operative channel. High-resolution OCT images and the technique’s endoscopic compatibility have allowed for the microstructural diagnostic of the pancreatobiliary diseases. In this review, we discussed currently available pancreaticobiliary ductal imaging systems to assess the pancreatobiliary tissue microstructure and to evaluate varieties of pancreaticobiliary disorders and diseases. Results show that OCT can improve the quality of images of pancreatobiliary system during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancheatography procedure, which may be important in distinguishing between the neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions.

Keywords: Optical coherence tomography, Endoscopy, Common bile duct, Main pancreatic duct, Sphincter of Oddi, Benign and malignant strictures

Core tip: Optical coherence tomography is a high-resolution diagnostic tool for pancreatobiliary system during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancheatography procedure.