Real-timereflectance confocal microscopy, a noninvasive tool for in vivo quantitative evaluation of comedolysis in the rhino mouse model.
BACKGROUND
Near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive tool that provides real-time images of thin virtual horizontal tissue sections.


OBJECTIVE
We have used a rhino mouse model in combination with topical application of all-trans-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinol to investigate the usefulness of RCM as a noninvasive imaging tool to evaluate comedolysis in vivo and over time. Optical images were correlated with routine histology.


RESULTS
Our results demonstrate that RCM in vivo can visualize the process of transformation of utriculi (pseudocomedones) towards a normal-appearing follicular structure during retinoid treatment. The retinoic acid intervention group showed a dose-related response, while the vehicle-treated group did not show utricular changes.


CONCLUSIONS
RCM represents a useful tool for in vivo morphological and quantitative evaluation of skin utriculi over time and could be used as an adjunct tool to histopathological techniques for comedolysis studies.
Nakano
K
K
Wellman Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Kiyokane
K
K
Benvenuto-Andrade
C
C
González
S
S
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014801:Vitamin A; D014212:Tretinoin