Vascular morphology in normal skin studied with dynamic optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique for cutaneous microvasculature.
• Existing D-OCT research predominantly focuses on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), lacking a baseline for healthy skin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reference description of standard microvascular features in normal skin.
• To investigate the prevalence of these features across various anatomical locations.

Main Methods:

• D-OCT scans were performed on 280 participants without skin disease.
• Four body locations were scanned: forehead, neck, hand (sun-exposed), and upper arm (unexposed).
• Frequencies of vascular features (dots, lines, curves, mottle, mesh) were analyzed in relation to location and demographics.

Main Results:

• 'Dots,' 'lines,' and 'curves' were the most frequent shapes at various depths (150-500 μm).
• 'Mottle' was the predominant pattern at 150 μm and 300 μm, appearing more superficially than 'mesh.'
• Significant regional differences in vascular characteristics were observed, particularly between the upper arm and other sites.

Conclusions:

• Standard microvascular features in healthy skin include dots, lines, curves, mottle, and mesh.
• Anatomical location influences microvascular patterns, with superficial 'mottle' and deeper 'mesh' being characteristic.
• These findings are crucial for accurate D-OCT interpretation in dermatological assessments.