Photoacoustic imaging for three-dimensional visualization and delineation of basal cell carcinoma in patients

Background: Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is an emerging non-invasive biomedical imaging modality that could potentially be used to determine the borders of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) preoperatively in order to reduce the need for repeated surgery. Methods: Two- and three-dimensional PA images were obtained by scanning BCCs using 59 wavelengths in the range 680–970 nm. Spectral unmixing was performed to visualize the tumor tissue distribution. Spectral sig- natures from 38 BCCs and healthy tissue were compared ex vivo. Results and discussion: The PA spectra could be used to differentiate between BCC and healthy tissue ex vivo (p<0.05). Spectral unmixing provided visualization of the overall architecture of the lesion and its border. Conclusion: PA imaging can be used to differentiate between BCC and healthy tissue and can potentially be used to delineate tumors prior to surgical excision. 1.