Fig. 1.

MSOT principle and optoacoustic spectrum differences between groups. a) The cartoon visualizes real-time MSOT imaging in pediatrics. Patients are placed in a relaxed position only wearing safety googles for eye protection during imaging. The investigator is guided by live reflected ultrasound computed tomography (RUCT) images and optoacoustic images (e.g. SWL 800 nm), in parallel. Raw data is than analysed after ROI placement followed by signal quantification for spectral retrieval by means of single wavelength intensities. b) The mean optoacoustic signal within the ROI is shown for n = 59 matched independent muscle regions for SWL 680 nm, 715 nm, 730 nm, 760 nm, 800 nm, 850 nm, 930 nm, 950 nm, 980 nm, 1000 nm, 1030 nm, 1064 nm and1100nm. Shown are mean [SD] signal intensities in arbitrary units (a.u.). n = 59 pairs (n = 59 independent muscles of n = 10 HV and n = 59 independent muscles of n = 10 SMA patients. Statistically significant differences are marked with a star (*) with detailed signal intensities and p values described in the main text, paired t-Test or Wilcoxon-sign-rank test, as appropriate. c) The maximum optoacoustic signal within the ROI is shown for n = 59 matched independent muscle regions for SWL 680 nm, 715 nm, 730 nm, 760 nm, 800 nm, 850 nm, 930 nm, 950 nm, 980 nm, 1000 nm, 1030 nm, 1064 nm and1100nm. Mean [SD] signal intensities in arbitrary units (a.u.). n = 59 pairs (n = 59 independent muscles of n = 10 HV and n = 59 independent muscles of n = 10 SMA patients. Statistically significant differences are marked with a star (*) with detailed signal intensities and p values described in the main text, paired t-Test or Wilcoxon-sign-rank test, as appropriate, p < 0.05 was regarded statistically significant.