# 4D-Spatiotemporal SHG Imaging for the Analysis of Drug-Induced Changes in the Dura Mater

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a 4D imaging technique to study how drugs affect the dura mater's structure over time.

## Contribution

A novel 4D-spatiotemporal SHG imaging method for analyzing drug-induced structural changes in the dura mater.

## Key findings

- 4D-SHG imaging revealed dimensional changes in the dura mater, including width, height, and volume.
- Collagen structure alterations were observed, linked to the pH of the drug formulation.
- The method provides insights into potential drug-induced damage to the dura mater.

## Abstract

The spatiotemporal assessment of tissue dynamics after
the introduction
of disruptive factors is crucial for evaluating their impact and for
developing effective countermeasures. Here, we report a 4D-spatiotemporal
imaging approach using second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging microscopy,
enabling an advanced time-resolved analysis of three-dimensional tissue
features. This is of particular interest as topical administration
of drugs during spinal surgeries is a standard practice for preventing
and treating postoperative complications like infections. Local drug
concentrations on tissue are high in these scenarios, and given the
dura’s role as a protective barrier for the brain and spinal
cord, potential drug-induced damage should be evaluated critically.
By employing 4D-SHG imaging, we gained detailed insights into changes
in dimensional properties of thin section samples, namely, width,
height, and volume, as well as into alterations within the hierarchic
structure of collagen. The latter thereby allowed us to postulate
a mode of action, which we attributed for the herein investigated
samples to the pH of the formulation.