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Real‐time in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy of melanin‐containing cells: A promising diagnostic intervention
Author(s) -
Xiang Wenzhong,
Song Xiuzu,
Peng Jianzhong,
Xu Aie,
Bi Zhigang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.22594
Subject(s) - melanin , in vivo , melanoma , confocal microscopy , confocal laser scanning microscopy , confocal , pathology , human skin , biomedical engineering , dermatology , materials science , medicine , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , optics , biochemistry , physics , genetics
The use of noninvasive imaging techniques to evaluate different types of skin lesions is increasing popular. In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a new method for high resolution non‐invasive imaging of intact skin in situ and in vivo. Although many studies have investigated melanin‐containing cells in lesions by in vivo CLSM, few studies have systematically characterized melanin‐containing cells based on their morphology, size, arrangement, density, borders, and brightness. In this study, the characteristics of melanin‐containing cells were further investigated by in vivo CLSM. A total of 130 lesions, including common nevi, giant congenital pigmented nevi, vitiligo, melasma, melanoma, and chronic eczema, were imaged by in vivo CLSM. This research helps dermatologists understand the characteristics of melanin‐containing cells and facilitate the clinical application of melanin‐containing cells in the investigation of dermatological disease. In summary, melanin‐containing cells include keratinocytes, melanocytes, macrophages, and melanocytic skin tumor cells. Our study presents the CLSM characteristics of melanin‐containing cells to potentially facilitate in vivo diagnosis based on shape, size, arrangement, density, borders, and brightness. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:1121–1127, 2015 . © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.