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Optical coherence tomography‐based non‐invasive evaluation of premalignant lesions in SKH ‐1 mice
Author(s) -
Zhou Chu,
Zhang Haonan,
Wang Peiru,
Shi Lei,
Wen Long,
Chen Qi,
Zhang Guolong,
Wang Cheng,
Wang Xiuli
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of biophotonics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1864-0648
pISSN - 1864-063X
DOI - 10.1002/jbio.202000490
Subject(s) - optical coherence tomography , medicine , actinic keratoses , skin cancer , epidermis (zoology) , context (archaeology) , histology , basal cell , pathology , gold standard (test) , dermatology , radiology , cancer , biology , anatomy , paleontology
Non‐invasively diagnosis of actinic keratoses (AK) is important for preventing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to detect the cross‐sectional skin micromorphology with sufficient resolution and imaging depth. It has the capability to reveal the changes in skin microstructure during the development of AK. Therefore, OCT can serve as a tool for diagnosing AK. This study explores the feasibility of OCT in evaluating the structural changes in mouse skin at the different stages following exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The performance of OCT is compared with histology, the gold standard in this context. The imaging results demonstrate that a wave‐shaped irregular dermo‐epidermal junction (DEJ), as well as the continuous thickening of the epidermis, are useful diagnostic parameters for diagnosing AK. Histological examinations confirm these observations. These findings emphasize the need for effective skin protection or medical treatment once changes in the DEJ and epidermis are detected. OCT shows strong potential for non‐invasive evaluation of such changes and AK development, and can be used for the prevention of cSCC without the necessity of taking biopsies.