The colon is the last place people would consider getting a tattoo, but it is an important place for marking colorectal lesions for surgery or follow-up. Scientists report a next-generation ink that diffuses less and is more biocompatible than existing ink. The researchers say that the new formula could make it easier to identify and remove colonic tumors.
The results will be presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US and the second leading cause of death. March is colorectal cancer awareness month, when people older than 50 are reminded to get a colonoscopy to detect cancer. Small polyps can usually be removed at the time of colonoscopy, however larger, complex lesions are often referred to specialists or surgeons for later removal.
Many times, these are very flat, very subtle, and there is a need to mark them so that the specialist can find them. The commercially available ink has a high contrast, but it quickly diffuses around the site of the procedure.
A new type of colon tattoo ink that could overcome these limitations was the project's principal investigator at Arizona State University. The researchers chose metal-derived nanoparticles to give the ink a strong, dark color that would be easy to see under a colonoscopy. They used different amounts and types of polymers that adhere to the colon's submucosal surface to prevent the ink from leaking.
They tested the various concoctions in a pig's gut and in mice. The researchers injected their ink under the mice's skin as a model system to gauge inflammation and efficacy, because mouse intestines are so tiny and difficult to work with. At 28 days, they are at least three to four times smaller than the spots from the commercial dye. Although there are no obvious signs of inflammation, the team is performing histopathological studies to see if any changes occur in the skin and to help determine the optimal ink formulation. The team is going to test the best inks in live pigs.
The researchers haven't tested this yet, but the nanoparticles have X-rayCT contrast properties and should be visible under the microscope. Doctors might be able to better understand a problem before surgery.
If the tattoo ink proves to be superior, it could lead to better patient care. If we can develop an ink that is very precise, we could mark growths and tumors anywhere in the body.
More information: Biomaterials-based composite ink formulations for endoscopic imaging application, ACS Spring 2022. acs.digitellinc.com/acs/live/22/page/677 Citation: An improved ink for colon tattoos (2022, March 22) retrieved 22 March 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-03-ink-colon-tattoos.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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