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Published on: October 3, 2018
Optical coherence tomography: a noninvasive method to assess wound reepithelialization
Adam J Singer1, Zhenguo Wang, Steve A McClain
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. adam.singer@stonybrook.edu
Summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) noninvasively tracks wound reepithelialization by detecting the epidermal layer. This method offers accurate assessment, overcoming limitations of invasive biopsies in human wound healing studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical optics
- Dermatology
- Wound healing research
Background:
- Invasive tissue biopsies limit clinical assessment of wound healing.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high-resolution, noninvasive cross-sectional imaging of tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of OCT for assessing wound reepithelialization.
- To compare OCT imaging with traditional histology in a porcine wound model.
Main Methods:
- Excisional cutaneous wounds were created in domestic pigs.
- OCT imaging and histology were performed on excised wounds at 2-3 days post-wounding.
- Correlation and agreement between OCT and histology for reepithelialization were analyzed.
Main Results:
- OCT visualized a bright layer corresponding to neoepidermis in reepithelializing wounds.
- A strong correlation (0.66, p < 0.001) was found between OCT and histology for percent reepithelialization.
- The standard deviation of differences was 11.0%, indicating good agreement.
Conclusions:
- OCT accurately detects the epidermal layer, enabling noninvasive tracking of wound reepithelialization.
- OCT shows significant potential for clinical wound assessment, reducing the need for biopsies.
