Abstract

The study is aimed at developing new methods for diagnosing causes of impairment of female reproductive function. An increase of infertility and chronic pelvic pains syndrome, a growing level of latent diseases of this group, as well as a stably high percentage (up to 25% for infertility and up to 60% for the chronic pelvic pains syndrome) of undetermined origin make this research extremely important. As a complementary technique to laparoscopy we propose to use optical coherence tomography. We have acquired OCT images of different parts of fallopian tubes and pelvic peritoneum and analyzed OCT criteria of unaltered tissues. The OCT images of the isthmic part of fallopian tubes and peritoneum have been morphologically verified for pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) and endometriosis. Changes in the optical properties of the studied organs typical of PID and endometriosis have been investigated. Based on comparative analysis of the OCT data and the results of histological studies OCT criteria of the considered diseases have been developed. Statistical analysis of diagnostic efficacy of OCT in the case of PID has been carried out. High (75-85%) diagnostic accuracy of OCT in PID is shown.

© 2011 OSA/SPIE