Raman spectroscopy for assessment of bone resection margins in mandibulectomy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Raman spectroscopy for detection of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) in bone resection surfaces during mandibulectomy. Materials & methods Raman mapping experiments were performed on fresh mandible resection specimens from patients treated with mandibulectomy for OCSCC. A tumour detection algorithm was created based on water concentration and the high-wavenumber range (2800 cm −1 –3050 cm −1 ) of the Raman spectra. Results Twenty-six ex vivo Raman mapping experiments were performed on 26 fresh mandible resection specimens obtained from 22 patients. The algorithm was applied on an independent test set and showed an accuracy of 95%, a sensitivity of 95%, and a specificity of 87%. Conclusion These results form the basis for further development of a Raman spectroscopy tool as an objective method for intraoperative assessment of bone resection margins.