Abstract
BackgroundDark pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa can represent a major diagnostic challenge. A biopsy is usually required to determine the nature of such intraoral discolorations. This study investigates the potential use of infrared spectroscopy for differential diagnosis of amalgam tattoos versus benign or malignant melanocytic neoplasms.Materials and methodsFor this retrospective study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) specimens of dark pigmented lesions concerning the oral mucosa or the lip were investigated using mid infrared spectroscopy. The samples were chosen from patients who had undergone a mucosal biopsy at the University Hospital Innsbruck (Austria) between the years 2000 and 2017. Principal component analysis was used for data exploration. Evaluation was based on the superimposition of the recorded spectra and the corresponding histologic slides.ResultsIn total, 22 FFPE specimens were analyzed. Clear differences were found between amalgam and non-amalgam samples. A general weakening of the penetrating infrared radiation allowed for unspecific discrimination between these two classes. An overall accuracy in predicting the correct class of 95.24% was achieved.ConclusionInfrared spectroscopy appears to be a suitable technique to differentiate between amalgam tattoos and melanocytic lesions in FFPE samples. It could potentially be applied in vivo, too, serving as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for intraoral dark pigmented lesions.
Highlights
Pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa are a common finding[1]
This study investigates the potential use of infrared spectroscopy for differential diagnosis of amalgam tattoos versus benign or malignant melanocytic neoplasms
Infrared spectroscopy appears to be a suitable technique to differentiate between amalgam tattoos and melanocytic lesions in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) samples
Summary
Exogenous factors like amalgam tattoos represent a major part of these lesions[1]. In presence of a clear medical/dental history, a dark pigmented lesion can be assumed to be no more than a harmless amalgam tattoo. Bearing in mind that any dark pigmented lesion could be a benign discoloration but could potentially represent a melanoma[4,5,6], a mucosal biopsy for definitive histological diagnosis is usually required[5, 7, 8]. Dark pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa can represent a major diagnostic challenge. This study investigates the potential use of infrared spectroscopy for differential diagnosis of amalgam tattoos versus benign or malignant melanocytic neoplasms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call