Dynamic Optical Coherence Tomography in Dermatology

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) represents a non-invasive imaging technology, which may be applied to the diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer and which has recently been shown to improve the diagnostic accuracy of basal cell carcinoma. Technical developments of OCT continue to expand the applicability of OCT for different neoplastic and inflammatory skin diseases. Of these, dynamic OCT (D-OCT) based on speckle variance OCT is of special interest as it allows the in vivo evaluation of blood vessels and their distribution within specific lesions, providing additional functional information and consequently greater density of data. In an effort to assess the potential of D-OCT for future scientific and clinical studies, we have therefore reviewed the literature and preliminary unpublished data on the visualization of the microvasculature using D-OCT. Information on D-OCT in skin cancers including melanoma, as well as in a variety of other skin diseases, is presented in an atlas. Possible diagnostic features are suggested, although these require additional validation.

Optical coherence tomography angiography monitors human cutaneous wound healing over time

“…Shown in Figure 3K (bottom) is the cross-sectional B-frame of the structure of normal skin corresponding to the perforated red line in Figure 3F, which shows an intact epidermis with a consistent thickness and homogenous structural brightness, besides an increased brightness immediately below the epidermis thought to represent the highly organized extracellular matrix of the papillary dermis (59). Shown in Figure 3G,H,I,J are the en face projected structures of the skin during healing.…”

Real-world approach to actinic keratosis management: practical treatment algorithm for office-based dermatology

“…In the future, novel imaging techniques such as reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography may be useful in the diagnosis of AK (5,26,27).…”

Dynamic optical coherence tomography of skin blood vessels – proposed terminology and practical guidelines

“…5,6 As a recent technical improvement, 'dynamic' OCT (D-OCT) allows the visualization of blood flow in vivo and therefore enables the visualization of microvasculature. 2,[7][8][9][10] As in all imaging techniques, correct image acquisition is important in D-OCT, but as functional data of blood flow is produced, special attention to the acquisition process and the reproducibility of the findings is required. New technology often needs new terminology, which is of major importance for the description of findings, for interpretation of data and to extract information.…”