Open Access

Sandra Schuh, Hanna Wirsching, Sophia Schlingmann, Julia Welzel, Oliver Mayer

• Background: Line-Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography (LC-OCT) is an emerging imaging modality that enables high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of skin vasculature. This technology has shown great potential in analyzing the complex vascular structures within skin tumors, contributing to a deeper understanding of tumor angiogenesis and associated vascular abnormalities.[1] Tumor angiogenesis, driven by factors such as VEGF under hypoxia, plays a pivotal role in tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.[2] Despite advances in vascular imaging, limitations in detecting and reconstructing irregular tumor vessels present ongoing challenges. Methods: This study employs a systematic approach for reconstructing and visualizing vascular structures from LC-OCT image stacks. Original images are converted to negative formats, vessels are manually traced using the Simple Neurite Tracer (SNT) plugin, and smoothed binary masks are generated to create 3D models.Background: Line-Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography (LC-OCT) is an emerging imaging modality that enables high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of skin vasculature. This technology has shown great potential in analyzing the complex vascular structures within skin tumors, contributing to a deeper understanding of tumor angiogenesis and associated vascular abnormalities.[1] Tumor angiogenesis, driven by factors such as VEGF under hypoxia, plays a pivotal role in tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.[2] Despite advances in vascular imaging, limitations in detecting and reconstructing irregular tumor vessels present ongoing challenges. Methods: This study employs a systematic approach for reconstructing and visualizing vascular structures from LC-OCT image stacks. Original images are converted to negative formats, vessels are manually traced using the Simple Neurite Tracer (SNT) plugin, and smoothed binary masks are generated to create 3D models. These reconstructions enable detailed analyses of vascular morphology, spatial organization, and blood flow dynamics. Furthermore, the methodology aligns with advancements in automated segmentation using machine learning, which improves efficiency and accuracy in analyzing complex vascular networks. Results: The study successfully demonstrates the ability of LC-OCT to visualize serpiginous, corkscrew-like, and irregular vascular structures in melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. The 3D reconstructions provide insights into the spatial arrangements and functional characteristics of tumor vessels, revealing details previously undetectable with two-dimensional imaging methods. The results underscore the structural abnormalities and leaky nature of tumor vasculature, highlighting their role in inefficient blood supply, tumor growth, and metastasis.…