Assessing hyperthermia‐induced vasodilation in human skin in vivo using optoacoustic mesoscopy. Issue 11 (18th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berezhnoi, Andrei; Schwarz, Mathias; Buehler, Andreas; Ovsepian, Saak V.; Aguirre, Juan; Ntziachristos, Vasilis
• Is Part Of: Journal of biophotonics. Volume 11:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-07-18
• Subjects: hyperemia -- induced hyperthermia -- optoacoustic techniques -- skin -- vasodilation; Photonics -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Medical instruments and apparatus -- Periodicals; 621.3605
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-063X

Abstract

Abstract : The aim of this study was to explore the unique imaging abilities of optoacoustic mesoscopy to visualize skin structures and microvasculature with the view of establishing a robust approach for monitoring heat‐induced hyperemia in human skin in vivo. Using raster‐scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM), we investigated whether optoacoustic (photoacoustic) mesoscopy can identify changes in skin response to local heating at microvasculature resolution in a cross‐sectional fashion through skin in the human forearm. We visualized the heat‐induced hyperemia for the first time with single‐vessel resolution throughout the whole skin depth. We quantified changes in total blood volume in the skin and their correlation with local heating. In response to local heating, total blood volume increased 1.83‐ and 1.76‐fold, respectively, in the volar and dorsal aspects of forearm skin. We demonstrate RSOM imaging of the dilation of individual vessels in the skin microvasculature, consistent with hyperemic response to heating at the skin surface. Our results demonstrate great potential of RSOM for elucidating the morphology, functional state and reactivity of dermal microvasculature, with implications for diagnostics and disease monitoring. Image: Cross‐sectional view of skin microvasculature dilated in response to hyperthermia. Abstract : Changes in skin microvasculature due to external stimuli such as heating or drugs may help identify and assess vasculature dysfunction arising from a wide range of diseases. For the first time we demonstrate detailed, cross‐sectional visualization of microvascular changes through the whole skin depth in response to local heating at single vessel resolution by means of RSOM, which overcomes the limitations of the purely optical techniques in dermal microvasculature studies.