Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye: A Focus on Imaging Protocols and Interpretation
Published on: November 11, 2025
Evaluation of allergic vesicular reaction to patch test using in vivo confocal microscopy
Marco Ardigò1, Caterina Longo, Antonio Cristaudo
1San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy. ardigo@ifo.it
Background:
Confocal microscopy has been successfully applied both in oncologic and inflammatory diseases. In particular, it has been proved as a useful tool for the in vivo detection of microscopical changes occurring in allergic reactions.
Aims Of The Study:
To evaluate microscopic changes occurring in positive patch test reactions.
Methods:
Eight patients with history of allergic dermatitis and positive patch test reaction were analysed by means of confocal microscopy.
Results:
Confocal microscopy showed the presence of spongiotic vesicle preferentially localized around the adnexal ducts that appeared to be in the middle of the spongiotic phenomena.
Conclusion:
Confocal microscopy offered for the first time new insight into vesicle formation and development, showing that adnexal ducts can play a role in allergic reaction.
