Backscattering intensity measurements in optical coherence tomography as a method to identify parathyroid glands

Background and ObjectivePrevious studies have shown that the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) permits the differentiation between parathyroid tissue, thyroid tissue, lymph nodes and adipose tissue. We investigated the backscattering intensity profiles of OCT images in order to determine whether significant differences between these tissue types exist. MethodsMean backscattering intensity profiles were obtained from OCT images of parathyroid glands, thyroid tissue, lymph nodes and adipose tissue. The profiles were analyzed employing Fisher's Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The results were cross validated employing improved parameter estimation techniques. ResultsMean backscattering intensity profiles from 300 OCT images of 34 patients undergoing thyroid or parathyroid surgery were analyzed. The overall rate of correct classifications was 96.15%. The cross validation employing improved parameter estimation techniques yielded results identical to those derived from Fisher's LDA. ConclusionBesides the individual assessment of OCT images by interpreting morphological criteria, backscattering intensity measurements can reliably distinguish between different tissue entities. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:526-532, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.