A comparative in-vivo study of the female urethra with cross-polarization optical coherence tomography using two types of endoscopic probes

Abstract

Novel technological solutions for diagnostics and treatment support for inflammatory and noninflammatory (urethral pain syndrome (UPS)) processes in urethra are an urgent task in urology. Visualization of normal and pathologically changed female urethral wall was performed using two types of cross-polarization optical coherence tomography (CP OCT) probes: forward-looking flexible probe and side-looking needle-type one. The advantage of the needle-type probe was the ability to visualize the urethra along its entire length in a short time. Forward-looking probe was convenient for the combined examination of the urethra and urinary bladder in one procedure. In consequence of using CP OCT method, consistent patterns of changes in epithelial and connective tissues of the urethra as a result of inflammatory processes and during UPS were revealed, which cannot be obtained by other methods available in the current clinical practice.