Imaging the cavernous nerves in the rat prostate using optical coherence tomography

INTRODUCTION: Improvements in identification, imaging, and visualization of the cavernous nerves (CNs) during radical prostatectomy, which are responsible for erectile function, may improve nerve preservation and post-operative potency. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is capable of real-time, high-resolution, cross-sectional, in vivo tissue imaging. The rat prostate serves as an excellent model for studying the use of OCT for imaging the CNs, as the rat CN is a large, visible, and distinct bundle allowing for easy identification with OCT in addition to histologic confirmation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imaging was performed with the Niris OCT system and a handheld 8 Fr probe, capable of acquiring real-time images with 11-microm axial and 25-microm lateral resolution in tissue. Open surgical exposure of the prostate was performed on a total of six male rats, and OCT images of the prostate, CN, pelvic plexus ganglion, seminal vesicle, blood vessels, and periprostatic fat were acquired. CN electrical stimulation with simultaneous intracorporeal pressure measurements was performed to confirm proper identification of the CNs. The prostate and CNs were also processed for histologic analysis and further confirmation. RESULTS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal OCT images of the CNs were acquired and compared with histologic sections. The CN and ganglion could be differentiated from the surrounding prostate gland, seminal vesicle, blood vessels, bladder, and fatty tissue. CONCLUSIONS: We report preliminary results of OCT images of the rat CNs with histologic correlation and erectile stimulation measurements, thus providing interpretation of prostate structures as they appear in OCT images.