Laser irradiative tissue probed in situ by collagen 380-nm fluorescence imaging

Background and Objective: There is no ideal method to detect molecular chan ges in situ of laser-irradiated tissue without removing a section of tissue for histologic examination. A new method is reported to evaluate laser-ind uced thermal tissue damage in situ by using 380-nm native fluorescence imag ing under 340-nm excitation. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Native fluorescence imaging was perform ed on laser irradiated bovine tendon tissue and compared with light illumin ated photography and histology with picrosirius red F3BA stain. Results and Conclusion: The results indicate that a decrease in collagen fl uorescence at 380 nm was observed in laser-induced thermally damaged tissue s. The injured region of tissue defined by its fluorescence image coincided with an area defined by photography and histology. Lasers Surg. Med. 27:15 8-164, 2000 (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.