Multimodal PAI/OCT Imaging System for Precision Diagnosis and Therapy in Atopic Dermatitis: A Pilot Study

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, faces diagnostic limitations due to subjective clinical assessments. This study introduces an integrated photoacoustic imaging (PAI)/optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for noninvasive, quantitative evaluation of MC903-induced AD-like dermatitis in mice and Crisaborole efficacy. Multimodal imaging demonstrated Crisaborole's suppression of pathological angiogenesis (50.7% fewer vascular junctions, 23% reduced density, 47% shorter vessel length) and tissue remodeling (20% epidermal thinning, 23% signal decline), validated by histopathology. The system captured in vivo dynamic vascular network restructuring and epidermal alterations during AD progression, revealing temporal links between angiogenesis, hyperplasia, and inflammation. PAI/OCT synergistically provides complementary functional-structural biomarkers, advancing precision diagnosis and therapy in AD models. This work pioneers real-time monitoring of AD pathophysiology, supporting clinical translation through quantitative multiparametric characterization for tailored therapeutic strategies.