Optoacoustic muscle imaging

BACKGROUND: Optoacoustic imaging (OAI) has emerged as a powerful modality for visualizing biological tissues with high spatial resolution and molecular specificity. When applied to skeletal muscle tissue, OAI provides unique opportunities to investigate muscle composition, function, and physiology beyond the capabilities of conventional imaging methods. RESULTS: Literature search was conducted in PubMed using ("Optoacoustic" OR "Photoacoustic") AND ("Muscle"), with relevant references additionally screened. Clinical studies include over 440 patients, mostly on skeletal muscle in neuromuscular disorders and peripheral artery disease. OAI detected structural changes such as fibrosis, and fatty infiltration, as well as functional impairments related to muscle perfusion and oxygenation. Preclinical studies demonstrate volumetric imaging of cardiac muscle, reflecting ongoing technological advances. DISCUSSION: This review summarizes the fundamental principles of optoacoustic muscle imaging, technical implementations, and translational applications. Furthermore, it discusses approaches to signal quantification, artifacts, as well as translation into clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on applications in the field of neuromuscular disease, where OAI holds promise as a non-invasive, radiation-free, and bedside imaging modality for characterizing and monitoring disease-specific muscle alterations. CONCLUSION: OAI represents a rapidly evolving field with significant potential for advancing both fundamental muscle physiology research and the diagnosis and monitoring of (neuro-)muscular disorders.