Applications and future directions for optical coherence tomography in dermatology

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Medical Imaging
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique providing high-resolution skin visualization.
• Despite its potential, OCT is not widely understood by practicing dermatologists.
• Understanding OCT principles and applications is crucial for its clinical adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To educate dermatologists on the principles of skin OCT.
• To outline the clinical indications and potential applications of OCT in dermatology.
• To review the current evidence and future directions for OCT in skin imaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of OCT technology and its various modalities, including angiographic OCT.
• Discussion of clinical applications, focusing on keratinocyte carcinomas and melanoma.
• Exploration of OCT's role in monitoring inflammatory dermatoses and connective tissue diseases.

Main Results:

• OCT provides high-resolution en face and cross-sectional skin images up to 2 mm deep.
• OCT shows promise in diagnosing basal cell carcinoma but requires further validation for melanoma.
• Angiographic OCT is valuable for assessing cutaneous vasculature and monitoring treatment response.

Conclusions:

• OCT is a valuable tool for noninvasive skin imaging and diagnosis.
• Further research, particularly in AI-assisted interpretation, can enhance OCT accuracy.
• OCT, especially angiographic OCT, holds significant potential for managing various dermatological conditions.