Characterization of human cervical precancerous tissue through the Fourier transform infrared microscopy with mapping method

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate directly the utility of Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR-MC) in detecting cervical precancer by comparison with the pathological examination of biopsy tissue. Methods. Cervical biopsy specimens were obtained from the outpatient department at Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital. Freshly isolated tissue was washed in isotonic saline and then frozen for use. Two successive slices were cut with a microtome. One unstained slice was used for reflectance FTIR-MC analysis; the other slice was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and used for position reference by microscopic mapping. Results. The spectral region from 950 to 1500 cm(-1) is the most critical region in the IR spectrum of the tissue. There were two special peaks that had growth and decline in the IR spectra. The one at 1150 cm(-1) disappeared and the other at 1240 cm(-1) broadened when the tissue had pathological changes. From the results, we found that the ratio of the areas of the two regions between 1130 to 1180 cm(-1) and 1180 to 1260 cm(-1) was an exceptionally useful factor in discriminating precancerous tissues from normal tissues. Conclusion. We carried out microscopic mapping of the tissues and demonstrated that the color map reflects pathological changes in the cervical tissues. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.