Endovascular Debulking of Human Carotid Plaques by Using an Excimer Laser Combined With Balloon Angioplasty: An ex vivo Study

Debris generated by laser and/or balloon cause cerebral infarction with different severity

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects that debris generated by laser and/or balloon on the brain. Debris generated by laser, balloon, and laser combined with balloon were collected and then injected into rats' left common carotid artery. Rats were divided into five groups: sham, saline, laser (L), balloon (B), and laser combined with balloon (LB). The cognition ability of rats was evaluated by Morris water maze. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was examined by laser speckle. TTC staining and MRI scan were conducted to detect cerebral ischemic infarction. Intracranial arteries in rats were visualized by MRI angiography via contrast medium injected via tail vein. Immunohistologic staining for NeuN and Iba1 and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed to assess brain infarction. White matter demyelination was assessed by Luxol fast blue staining. Long-term memory and CBF of rats in different groups exhibited no significant difference. No obstruction sign in intracranial artery tree was noticed in each group. Debris generated by different treatments all caused brain infarction. Infarction lesion caused by debris produced by balloon was much more severe than the one caused by debris generated by laser. While the LB group lay in between. The thickness of white matter decreased in the B group, but not in the L and LB groups. Rat brain has a tolerance for debris as cognition ability and cerebral blood flow are not significantly declined. The severity of cerebral infarction varies by debris generated by different treatments.

Volumetric Tissue Imaging of Surgical Tissue Specimens Using Micro-Computed Tomography: An Emerging Digital Pathology Modality for Nondestructive, Slide-Free Microscopy-Clinical Applications of Digital Pathology in 3 Dimensions

OBJECTIVES

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a novel, nondestructive, slide-free digital imaging modality that enables the acquisition of high-resolution, volumetric images of intact surgical tissue specimens. The aim of this systematic mapping review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the available literature on clinical applications of micro-CT tissue imaging and to assess its relevance and readiness for pathology practice.

METHODS

A computerized literature search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases. To gain insight into regulatory and financial considerations for performing and examining micro-CT imaging procedures in a clinical setting, additional searches were performed in medical device databases.

RESULTS

Our search identified 141 scientific articles published between 2000 and 2021 that described clinical applications of micro-CT tissue imaging. The number of relevant publications is progressively increasing, with the specialties of pulmonology, cardiology, otolaryngology, and oncology being most commonly concerned. The included studies were mostly performed in pathology departments. Current micro-CT devices have already been cleared for clinical use, and a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code exists for reimbursement of micro-CT imaging procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Micro-CT tissue imaging enables accurate volumetric measurements and evaluations of entire surgical specimens at microscopic resolution across a wide range of clinical applications.