ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses new techniques in endoscopy; introduce several evolving optical imaging modalities that are proving valuable in intraluminal disease detection, and outlines applications of electromagnetic (EM) navigation in other fields. It focuses on how these methods can be applied in brachytherapy. White light endoscopy (WLE) has long played critical role in diagnostics and disease staging of cancer for many intraluminal sites. With the advent of laparoscopic surgery, endoscopy is also critical for minimally invasive surgery. Evolving optical imaging techniques that provide greater sensitivity to disease detection, such as fluorescence and optical coherence tomography (OCT), are becoming part of clinical practice. The standard concern with optical imaging in the context of radiation therapy is that optical imaging is essentially superficial while much of radiation therapy is 3D. Several new technologies developed in recent years have contributed to significant improvements in WLE image quality. Spectral imaging, using tissue stains, differential light delivery or detection is used to improve early disease detection.
