Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy as a method for diagnosing benign ovarian formations in pregnant women

Aim: to study the spectral characteristics of blood plasma in pregnant women with benign ovarian formations (OF). Materials and Methods. A retrospective study conducted between 2021 and 2023 included 100 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years. Two groups were identified: group 1 (main group) included 50 pregnant women with OF, group 2 (control group) included 50 pregnant women with normal pregnancy. Using the method of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), we determined and assessed the spectral features typical to OF, which are necessary for differential diagnosis of this pregnancy-related pathology. Results. Prominent inter-group differences in spectral intensities were revealed: OF was associated with significantly increased intensity of spectral peaks at 491 nm, 596 nm, 632 nm, 808 nm, 886 nm, 1132 nm and decreased intensity at the peaks of 725 nm and 1440 nm observed compared to control group. After OF removal, spectral pattern restored to near complete compliance with the spectral pattern observed in control group of pregnant women. Conclusion. The isolated and analyzed spectral features demonstrated an opportunity of using SERS in diagnosing OF in pregnant women.