New frontiers in intracranial imaging with HF-OCT: Ex vivo human cerebrovasculature evaluation and in vivo intracranial arteries dynamic visualization

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology is a well-established diagnostic tool in multiple fields of medicine. Intravascular OCT has been used for more than decade the clinical imaging coronary arteries, however, its use human cerebrovasculature delayed by challenges posed elevated vascular tortuosity. A novel high-frequency (HF-OCT) probe designed neurovascular was evaluated tortuous, ex vivo , intracranial anatomy and, using an canine model, dynamic arteries and subarachnoid trabecula (SAT). Using four cadavers, we investigated HF-OCT navigation performances anterior arterial circulation (from M4 segment to internal carotid artery), posterior P4 vertebrobasilar junction) broad range venous sinuses. able gain distal access through tortuosity generate high-quality data depicting vessel morphology, wall pathology (e.g., atherosclerotic disease dissecting lesions), record stationary locations. Data showed motion SAT, including collisions between vessels, membranes, interaction SAT blood vessels. allowed quantification dynamics vessels lateral with respect parenchyma, large small arteries. Results that can overcome delivery obstacles tortuous cerebrovascular provide high-resolution at locations, segments circulations. potential facilitate better understanding fine anatomical details perivascular environment, disease, collect real time information about space become valuable tool.