Multimodal hyperspectral imaging for the noninvasive diagnosis of cervical neoplasia

Objective. To determine the ability of Multimodal Hyperspectral Imaging (MHI) to noninvasively detect, localize and diagnose cervical neoplasia. Materials and methods. The cervical epithelium was interrogated by MHI using tissue fluorescence and reflectance measurements after the probe was placed on the ectocervix. A Papanicolaou smear was taken, and a colposcopic examination was performed and cervical histologic specimens were collected, when indicated. MHI and Pap smear sensitivity and specificity data were compared with colposcopic and histologic results. Results. Nineteen patients had CIN2 or higher, 30 had CIN1, 34 had benign cellular changes or metaplasia, and 28 were normal by both Pap smear and colposcopic examination. At equal specificity (70%) for both tests, the sensitivity of MHI was 97%, compared to 72% for the Pap smear. Conclusion. MHI detected cervical cancer precursors at a rate greater than that obtained by a simultaneously collected Pap smear.