Noninvasive photoacoustic microscopy of methemoglobin in vivo.

Due to the various causes of methemoglobinemia and its potential to be confused with other diseases, in vivo measurements of methemoglobin have significant applications in the clinic. Using photoacoustic microscopy (PAM), we quantified the average and the distributed percentage of methemoglobin both in vitro and in vivo. Based on the absorption spectra of methemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, and deoxyhemoglobin, three wavelengths were chosen to differentiate methemoglobin from the others. The methemoglobin concentrations calculated from the photoacoustic signals agreed well with the preset concentrations. Then we imaged the methemoglobin percentage in microtubes that mimicked blood vessels. Average percentages calculated for five samples with different methemoglobin concentrations also agreed well with the preset values. Finally, we demonstrated the ability of PAM to detect methemoglobin in vivo in a mouse ear. Our results show that PAM can quantitatively image methemoglobin distribution in vivo.