title: Use of a 3-D imaging technique for non-invasive monitoring of the depth of experimentally induced wounds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Experimental studies of wound healing lack methods for standardized wounding and in situ depth assessment. Consequently, in this pilot study, an Erbium (Er):YAG laser has been used for wound induction with a non-invasive 3-D imaging technique as an alternative to histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Erbium:YAG ablation of human skin ex vivo was performed with total fluences of 10, 50 and 200 J/cm(2), removing the stratum corneum, epidermis/papillary dermis and deeper dermis, respectively. Wound depth was measured with the 3-D method and histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wound depth was proportional to fluence for both techniques : 3-D, 17.7+/-1.7, 43.9+/-16 and 245.2+/-61 microm; histology, 14.6+/-1.7, 50.6+/-11.6 and 238+/-102 microm, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-D technique compares well with and is an improvement on histological measurement, providing true wound depth measurement, avoiding shape changes inherent with histology. Furthermore, the Er:YAG laser is a highly appropriate means of wound induction due to its rapidity and precision.
authors: Skin Research Centre, Pierre Fabre Research Institute, Toulouse, France.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Ferraq
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Black
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Lagarde
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Schmitt
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Dahan
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Grolleau
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Mordon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D020405:Dermis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014945:Wound Healing