Definition

A procedure that uses light waves to create 3-dimensional (3-D) pictures of tissues inside the body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to the light source. DOT may be used to look at blood flow to the tissues and to measure changes in the amount of oxygen in them. This may help show the difference between normal and abnormal tissue. DOT may be especially useful for looking at soft tissue, such as breast and brain tissue. It is being studied as an imaging test to help diagnose early-stage breast cancer and other conditions. Also called diffuse optical tomography.