Dermoscopy guided dark-field multi-functional optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a skin surface microscopic technique allowing specular reflection free observation of the skin, and has been used to examine pigmented skin lesions. However, dermoscopy has limitations in providing depth information due to lack of 3D resolution. In order to overcome the limitations, we developed dermoscopy guided multi-functional optical coherence tomography (MF-OCT) providing both high-contrast superficial information and depth-resolved structural, birefringent, and vascular information of the skin simultaneously. Dermoscopy and MF-OCT were combined by using a dichroic mirror, and dark-field configuration was adapted for MF-OCT to reduce specular reflection. After characterization, dermoscopy guided MF-OCT was applied to several human skin lesions such as the scar, port-wine stain (PWS) as well as the normal skin for demonstration. Various features of the scar and PWS were elucidated by both dermoscopy and MF-OCT. Dermoscopy guided MF-OCT may be useful for evaluation and treatment monitoring of skin lesions in clinical applications. Reinhold, "The sensitivity and specificity of optical coherence tomography for the assisted diagnosis of nonpigmented basal cell carcinoma: an observational study," Br. J. Dermatol. 173(2), 428-435 (2015). 28. A. J. Coleman, G. P. Penney, T. J. Richardson, A. Guyot, M. J. Choi, N. Sheth, E. Craythorne, A. Robson, and R. Mallipeddi, "Automated registration of optical coherence tomography and dermoscopy in the assessment of sub-clinical spread in basal cell carcinoma," Comput.

Optical coherence tomography angiography of normal skin and inflammatory dermatologic conditions

“…In healthy skin absent of lesions, vascular distribution appears homogenous, corroborating with previous OCT studies [28,49]; however, in the presence of benign lesions, capillary loops form symmetrical annular networks that mirror topological structures. The dermal location of these capillary networks is inferred by dermal layer thickening, as seen in B-scan structural images.…”

“…The epidermal layer of each B-scan has been outlined because epidermal thickness, in particular, has been shown to vary significantly between anatomic sites 25,26 . Such structural features would be invisible to other non-invasive imaging modes, such as dermoscopy or capillaroscopy 27,28 . Biopsies can be used but these are invasive and the preparatory steps required for histopathology can distort the skin’s morphology leading to inaccurate estimations 29 .…”

Skin Imaging Using Ultrasound Imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography, Confocal Microscopy, and Two-Photon Microscopy in Cutaneous Oncology

“…Functional OCT techniques that can provide additional information, such as polarization and vasculature were recently developed and applied for the detection of abnormal vasculature of a port-wine stain or skin cancer (16–18). Our research group developed a device that matches an OCT image with that obtained by dermoscopic imaging and provides more information than dermoscopy alone (19). Through this, we expect to be able to assess the extent of scar treatment (Figure 8).…”

A preliminary study of post-progressive nail-art effects on in vivo nail plate using optical coherence tomography-based intensity profiling assessment

“…Dermoscopy is a non-invasive and in vivo technique that has also been used for the assessment of nail disorders 25 . Due to the lack of 3D resolution, dermoscopy cannot provide depth information of sample 26 . Therefore, a non-invasive and high-resolution oriented imaging system is necessary to overcome the aforementioned limitations of conventional imaging methods and for the assessment of nail disorders.…”