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Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a well-established technology for quantitative, non-invasive, and rapid measurement of tissue hemodynamics. We used DRS scans collected between 450-700 nm using a single-channel fiber optical probe in hydrocephalus pediatric patients with implanted shunts to investigate whether idiopathic pain experienced at the shunt site was identifiable in hemodynamic signatures from measurements. The relationship between the presence of shunt-related pain by were examined using localized DRS measurements using an optical probe with short source-detector separation. DRS scans were collected at seven different sites around the implanted shunt and from a matched contralateral site, from subjects during routine clinical visits. Reflectance data were processed using an inverse Monte Carlo model to translate each DRS spectrum into the wavelength averaged scattering coefficient, the total hemoglobin concentration, and vascular blood oxygen saturation. DRS variables from acquired measurements were examined across patient groups using statistical t-tests. Preliminary results indicate a reduced hemoglobin saturation for subjects presenting with shuntodynia and need to be examined in greater detail to identify whether these optical signals indicate early-development of pressure injuries in tissues.
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