Optical Coherence Tomography: Clinical Applications in Dermatology

Abstract

Summary Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a promising new and non invasive technology for diagnosis of tissue is on the cusp of being introduced in clinical dermatology. OCT instrumentations are commercially available (e.g. ISIS Optronics GmbH, Mannheim) which provide two dimensional images of high resolution (lateral 3μm, axial 5μm) of morphological microstructures of the skin. Compared to high frequency sonography, OCT images are more detailed in structural information and contrast. The limitation, however, is the penetration depth of the light into the skin. Due to the strong scattering of skin tissue, imaging is possible to a depth of about 1 mm. But for many cases this is enough to identify alterations in the structure of the dermal layers down to the upper dermis. In this study we report on examples of pathological skin lesions such as bullous diseases, inflammations and different types of skin cancer. OCT imaging as a non-invasive diagnostic method is also well suited to evaluate laser treatment effects by monitoring of therapeutic progress over time. Treatment of port-wine stain and wound healing can be followed on-line as a method of therapy control. Examples show the variety of OCT applications in monitoring skin diseases and the potency of this new technique.