Abstract
Since neovascularization has been reported that it is associated with tendinopathy, assessments of vascularity are important for both diagnosis and treatment estimation. Photoacoustic imaging, taking the advantages of good ultrasonic resolution and high optical absorption contrast, has been shown a promising tool for vascular imaging. In this study, we explore the feasibility of photoacoustic micro-imaging in noninvasive monitoring of microvascular changes in Achilles tendon injuries on a mouse model in vivo. During collagenase-induced tendinitis, a 25-MHz photoacoustic microscope was used to image microvascular changes in Achilles tendons of mice longitudinally up to 23 days. In addition, complementary tissue structural information was revealed by collateral 25-MHz ultrasound microscopy. Morphological changes and proliferation of new blood vessels in Achilles tendons were observed during and after the acute inflammation. Observed microvascular changes during tendinitis were similar to the findings in the literatures. This study demonstrates that photoacoustic imaging can potentially be a complementary tool for high sensitive diagnosis and assessment of treatment performance in tendinopathy.
Highlights
In the past few decades, the incidence of the Achilles tendon injuries has risen due to the popularity of recreational and competitive sporting activities, especially in runners [1]
Since neovascularization has been reported that it is associated with tendinopathy, assessments of vascularity are important for both diagnosis and treatment estimation
We explore the feasibility of photoacoustic micro-imaging in noninvasive monitoring of microvascular changes in Achilles tendon injuries on a mouse model in vivo
Summary
In the past few decades, the incidence of the Achilles tendon injuries has risen due to the popularity of recreational and competitive sporting activities, especially in runners [1]. MRI and ultrasound imaging are the most common imaging technologies used to elucidate the fine internal structures of tendons noninvasively for both diagnosis and treatment monitoring [2,3]. Because of it being widely available, easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and exhibiting a high lesion detection rate, ultrasound has recently become the first line examination tool [4]. Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) [13,14,15,16], i.e. high-frequency (> 20 MHz) PAI, offers a unique opportunity to monitor micro-vascular changes in tendon injuries on a mouse model in vivo, which high frequency ultrasound Doppler imaging still has difficulties to detect [17]. Collateral 25-MHz ultrasound, i.e. ultrasonic microscopy (USM), B-mode images were incorporated to provide complementary structural information
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