In vivo documentation of cutaneous inflammation using spectral imaging

Abstract

Typical manifestations of cutaneous inflammation include erythema and edema. While erythema is the result of capillary dilation and local increase of oxygenated hemoglobin concentration, edema is characterized by an increase in extracellular fluid in the dermis, leading to local tissue swelling. Both of these inflammatory reactions are typically graded visually. We demonstrate the potential of spectral imaging as an objective noninvasive method for quantitative documentation of both erythema and edema. As examples of dermatological conditions that exhibit skin inflammation we applied this method on patients suffering from (1) allergic dermatitis (poison ivy rashes), (2) inflammatory acne, and (3) viral infection (herpes zoster). Spectral images are acquired in the visible and near-IR part of the spectrum. Based on a spectral decomposition algorithm, apparent concentrations maps are constructed for oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, melanin, optical scattering, and water. In each dermatological condition examined, the concentration maps of oxyhemoglobin and water represent quantitative visualizations of the intensity and extent of erythema and cutaneous edema, correspondingly. We demonstrate that spectral imaging can be used to quantitatively document parameters relevant to skin inflammation. Applications may include monitoring of disease progression as well as screening for efficacy of treatments.

Early biomarker for radiation-induced wounds: day one post-irradiation assessment using hemoglobin concentration measured from diffuse optical reflectance spectroscopy

“…Diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) employs non-ionizing, visible light to extract functional parameters such as hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation and optical scattering that has shown promise as a quantitative imaging tool for characterizing skin irritation [12][13][14] and irradiation-induced skin erythema [15,16]. Previously, we investigated the potential of optical biomarkers to quantitatively detect radiation-induced skin reactions as the overt damage was manifesting [16].…”

Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Assessment of Acute Ionizing Radiation Induced Skin Toxicity Using a Mouse Model

“…Following irradiation, total Hb levels undergo fluctuations, but oxyHb or StO 2 undergo a characteristic early sharp rise, followed by a fall and another more persistent rise 3,6 . When irritants are used to induce skin erythema, vascular oxyHb levels directly correlate with the severity of the local erythema and inflammation 7 .…”

Contact and contactless diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: potential for recovery monitoring of vascular lesions after intense pulsed light treatment

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