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HD-OCT (high definition optical coherence tomography) is a promising non-invasive imaging tool with demonstrated utility in the in vivo accurate diagnosis of skin cancers but with slightly reduced applicability in other skin pathology, such as inflammatory or chronic connective tissue diseases. This technique can deliver high-resolution images of the skin layers similar with the histological aspect. The present study sought to detect and describe typical features regarding the pathological micro architectural pattern of localized scleroderma using HD- OCT and to see the utility in monitoring non-invasively the effects of first line treatments over relatively short period of time in this specific disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique, with significant relevance in different area, mainly ophthalmology. In recent years OCT has become a promising tool also for the in vivo evaluation and diagnosis of different skin diseases, especially skin cancers. HD OCT can be used as a reliable diagnosis method that provides useful information on the architecture of cutaneous layers and sometimes on cellular morphology in the epidermis and other structures of the skin. Our work brings new information about the value of HD-OCT in describing in vivo pattern of basal cell carcinoma, one of the most frequent non-melanocytic skin cancers, compared with histopathology and dermoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emergent imaging technique, based on the interference of infrared radiation and living tissues, that allows the in vivo visualization of the skin structures, at high resolution and up to 1.6 mm depth. As such, there is mounting evidence that OCT may be an interesting technique for the diagnosis of skin diseases, including the noninvasive early detection of cutaneous tumors. Objective: We aimed to investigate the utility of OCT for the diagnosis of non-melanocytic, non-pigmented cutaneous tumors. Methods: Preliminary results are presented from an initiated study. Fifteen consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of epithelial cancers and precancers registered over one week in a university dermatologic department were included. As control were selected 7 patients with inflammatory skin diseases (psoriasis, lichen planus, cutaneous lupus erythematosus). In all study and control patients, the lesions and samples of normal, perilesional skin were documented by clinical digital photography, contact dermoscopy with digital image capture and OCT with central wavelength of 930 nm. Final diagnosis was certified by histopathological analysis. Results: We could identify morphological features in OCT examination that distinguished between normal and lesional skin, and between neoplastic vs. inflammatory lesions. In the same time, combining OCT and dermatoscopical evaluation of a lesion improved the performance of diagnosis when compared to clinical diagnosis alone and with either OCT or dermoscopy imaging used alone. Conclusions: OCT appears as a promising method of in vivo diagnosis of early neoplastic cutaneous lesions with equivocal clinical and/or dermoscopic aspect. Continuation of our study as well as other larger investigation will be able to contribute with new insights in the role of OCT in the non-invasive diagnosis of skin disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]