Automatic and label-free detection of meningioma in dura mater using the combination of multiphoton microscopy and image analysis

Na Fang; Zanyi Wu; Rong Chen; Zhongjiang Chen; Limei Zheng; Tingqi Yang; Ling Wang; Xingfu Wang; Dezhi Kang; Jianxin Chen

doi:10.1117/1.NPh.10.3.035006

Automatic and label-free detection of meningioma in dura mater using the combination of multiphoton microscopy and image analysis

Neurophotonics. 2023 Jul;10(3):035006. doi: 10.1117/1.NPh.10.3.035006. Epub 2023 Jul 10.

Authors

Na Fang¹, Zanyi Wu², Rong Chen¹, Zhongjiang Chen¹, Limei Zheng³, Tingqi Yang¹, Ling Wang¹, Xingfu Wang³, Dezhi Kang², Jianxin Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Fujian Medical University, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Fuzhou, China.
² The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Department of Neurosurgery, Fuzhou, China.
³ The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Department of Pathology, Fuzhou, China.
⁴ Fujian Normal University, China Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China.

Abstract

Significance: To prevent meningioma recurrence, it is necessary to detect and remove all corresponding tumors intraoperatively, including those in the adjacent dura mater.

Aim: Currently, the removal of meningiomas from the dura mater depends solely on cautious visual identification of lesions by a neurosurgeon. Inspired by the requirements for resection, we propose multiphoton microscopy (MPM) based on two-photon-excited fluorescence and second-harmonic generation as a histopathological diagnostic paradigm to assist neurosurgeons in achieving precise and complete resection.

Approach: Seven fresh normal human dura mater samples and 10 meningioma-infiltrated dura mater samples, collected from 10 patients with meningioma, were acquired for this study. First, multi-channel mode and lambda mode detection were utilized in the MPM to characterize the architectural and spectral features of normal and meningioma-infiltrated dura mater, respectively. Three imaging algorithms were then employed to quantify the architectural differences between the normal and meningioma-infiltrated dura mater through calculations of the collagen content, orientation, and alignment. Finally, MPM was combined with another custom-developed imaging algorithm to locate the meningioma within the dura mater and further delineate the tumor boundary.

Results: MPM not only detected meningioma cells in the dura mater but also revealed the morphological and spectral differences between normal and meningioma-infiltrated dura mater, providing quantitative information. Furthermore, combined with a self-developed image-processing algorithm, the precise borders of meningiomas in the dura mater could be accurately delineated.

Conclusions: MPM can automatically detect meningiomas in the dura mater label-free. With the development of advanced multiphoton endoscopy, MPM combined with image analysis can provide decision-making support for histopathological diagnosis, as well as offer neurosurgeons more precise intraoperative resection guidance for meningiomas.

Keywords: dura mater; meningioma; multiphoton microscopy; second-harmonic generation; two-photon excitation fluorescence.