USEFULNESS OF FLUORESCENCE IMAGING FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISORDERS

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study was to review in the literature the use of fluorescence imaging as a method of early diagnosis in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders. Study Design A bibliographic survey covering the previous 10 years was carried out in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and LILACS databases. Results Thirty articles were collected, and all were selected. Most studies have stated that fluorescence is helpful to complement the clinical examination performed under conventional white light, improving the accuracy of the lesion margin and exposing the loss of autofluorescence, meaning potential oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) or malignancy. As a complement, this method has been described in 4 studies, showing a significant improvement in the diagnostic results and a slight increase in the effectiveness of the clinical examination when performed by a specialist. However, 5 articles stated the need for studies in this area to confirm the accuracy of fluorescence. It remains undefined in the detection of erythematous lesions of mild inflammation because it can result in a false-positive test. Conclusions Fluorescence imaging is helpful as a diagnostic aid, with biopsy being the reference technique for assessing OED. The objective of this study was to review in the literature the use of fluorescence imaging as a method of early diagnosis in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders. A bibliographic survey covering the previous 10 years was carried out in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and LILACS databases. Thirty articles were collected, and all were selected. Most studies have stated that fluorescence is helpful to complement the clinical examination performed under conventional white light, improving the accuracy of the lesion margin and exposing the loss of autofluorescence, meaning potential oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) or malignancy. As a complement, this method has been described in 4 studies, showing a significant improvement in the diagnostic results and a slight increase in the effectiveness of the clinical examination when performed by a specialist. However, 5 articles stated the need for studies in this area to confirm the accuracy of fluorescence. It remains undefined in the detection of erythematous lesions of mild inflammation because it can result in a false-positive test. Fluorescence imaging is helpful as a diagnostic aid, with biopsy being the reference technique for assessing OED.