In-vivo polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography for fibrosis quantification in interstitial lung disease

Abstract

Endobronchial polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) provides high-resolution images and can detect tissue birefringence. Using collagen birefringent properties, we postulated that PS-OCT can detect and quantify pulmonary fibrosis in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. In this study, we demonstrated PS-OCT in 19 patients (16 ILD and 3 non-fibrotic controls). In-vivo PS-OCT was performed by advancing a distal scanning endoscope through the working channel of a bronchoscope to the lung periphery of the patients. Results show that PS-OCT is feasible, safe, and can quantify pulmonary fibrosis, thereby has potential as minimally invasive diagnostic tool to detect fibrotic progression in ILD.