Using optical coherence tomography to evaluate skin sun damage and precancer.
OBJECTIVE
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a depth resolved imaging modality that may aid in identifying sun damaged skin and the precancerous condition actinic keratosis (AK).


METHODS
OCT images were acquired of 112 patients at 2 sun protected and 2 sun exposed sites, with a subsequent biopsy. Each site received a dermatological evaluation, a histological diagnosis, and a solar elastosis (SE) score. OCT images were examined visually and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Characteristic OCT image features were identified of sun protected, undiseased, sun damaged, and AK skin. A statistically significant difference (P<0.0001) between the average attenuation values of skin with minimal and severe solar elastosis was observed. Significant differences (P<0.0001) were also found between undiseased skin and AK using a gradient analysis. Using image features, AK could be distinguished from undiseased skin with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
OCT has the potential to guide biopsies and provide non-invasive measures of skin sun damage and disease state, possibly increasing efficiency of chemopreventive agent trials.
Korde
Vrushali R
VR
College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
Bonnema
Garret T
GT
Xu
Wei
W
Krishnamurthy
Chetankumar
C
Ranger-Moore
James
J
Saboda
Kathylynn
K
Slayton
Lisa D
LD
Salasche
Stuart J
SJ
Warneke
James A
JA
Alberts
David S
DS
Barton
Jennifer K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013472:Sunlight; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*