acoustic resolution photoacoustic doppler flowmetry for assessment of patient rectal cancer blood perfusion

Currently, post-therapy evaluation of colorectal cancer relies on functional MRI, which does not possess resolution and sensitivity well-suited for the task. Endorectal photoacoustic microscopy offers blood contrast and much higher resolution in imaging residual tumor vasculature. Correlational acoustic resolution photoacoustic doppler flowmetry with amplitude dependent masking was implemented, validated with simulations and phantom experiments, and put into use on colorectal patient scanning data. Doppler velocity map demonstrated potential in highlighting flow in the photoacoustic signal region while removing stationary absorber signals, showing vascular density and distribution in agreement with current understanding of colorectal cancer pathology.