Skin Imaging Using Ultrasound Imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography, Confocal Microscopy, and Two-Photon Microscopy in Cutaneous Oncology

Abstract

With the recognition of dermoscopy as a new medical technology and its available fee assessment in Korea comes an increased interest in imaging-based dermatological diagnosis. For the dermatologist, who treats benign tumors and malignant skin cancers, imaging-based evaluations can assist with determining the surgical method and future follow-up plans. The identification of the tumor's location and the existence of blood vessels can guide safe treatment and enable the use of minimal incisions. The recent development of high-resolution microscopy based on laser reflection has enabled observation of the skin at the cellular level. Despite the limitation of a shallow imaging depth, non-invasive light-based histopathologic examinations are being investigated as a rapid and pain-free process that would be appreciated by patients and feature reduced time from consultation to treatment. In the United States, the current procedural terminology billing code was established for reflectance confocal microscopy in 2016 and has been used for the skin cancer diagnosis ever since. In this review, we introduce the basic concepts and images of ultrasound imaging, optical coherence tomography, confocal microscopy, and two-photon microscopy and discuss how they can be utilized in the field of dermatological oncology.

Overview of Ultrasound Detection Technologies for Photoacoustic Imaging

“…With the fast-growing ultrasound transducer technology, numerous computational methods have also been studied to further improve the performance of transducers by reducing noise in the transducer signal [ 198 , 199 ]; the result has been higher quality images [ 5 , 200 , 201 ]. With the advancement of ultrasound technology, more biomedical applications, which are currently performed using optical technologies, can be realized [ 12 , 202 , 203 , 204 , 205 , 206 , 207 , 208 ].…”

1.7-Micron Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography for Characterization of Skin Lesions–A Feasibility Study

“…In recent decades, many novel noninvasive biomedical imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been utilized in both clinical and research settings to aid in the diagnosis of skin cancer, permitting real-time visualization of internal structures and their functions (e.g. vascular network, flow rate, and elasticity) in the skin [3][4][5][6][7]. They also offer the advantage and convenient ability of performing repeated imaging of the same lesions without harmful adverse effects, enabling the observation of dynamic and long-term changes over time.…”

Analysis of the effectiveness of chemical peelings in the treatment of acne vulgaris assessed using high‐frequency ultrasound—A comparative study

“…A skin ultrasound is noteworthy as a noninvasive alternative to rapid and noninvasive quantification of skin tissue 12 . Various studies have shown significant progress in the use of high‐frequency ultrasonic molding, diagnosis, and determination of the treatment effect on the skin‐related condition 13,14 . The first skin ultrasound was used to measure skin repair procedures, for example, in systemic scleroderma.…”