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 signatures 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.