THz imaging as an adjunct for T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging

In vivo visualization and quantification of surface tissue edema, or ‘tissue swelling’ following injury or as diagnostic criteria for the detection of disease remains a clinical challenge. The most common method for evaluating edema is by clinical examination, during which tissue swelling and turgor are routinely examined. This technique, however, is qualitative, difficult to standardize, and requires considerable clinical expertise. T2 — weighted (T2w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to visualize the hydration state of skin in vivo and provides comprehensive, layer-specific anatomical and physiological data. While clinical utility has been demonstrated in a range of applications, adoption has been limited due to instrument size, cost, and the technical challenges associated with surface tissue data interpretation. These factors provide a potential opportunity for THz medical imaging. In this talk we propose THz maps of tissue water content (TWC) as an adjunct to MRI. For applications where (1) surface tissue water content is correlated with disease/injury state and (2) technical challenges and/or adoption costs restrict the use of MRI, THz imaging can be leveraged to fill the diagnostic gap. Candidate applications are discussed including burn wound severity assessment, surgical flap viability prediction, and allergy testing.