title: Confocal laser scanning microscopy and optical coherence tomography for the evaluation of the kinetics and quantification of wound healing after fractional laser therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Information on the course of wound healing after fractional carbon-dioxide laser therapy has so far been gathered by histopathology. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) allow the visualization of the upper layers of the skin in vivo over time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether CLSM and OCT can be used to quantify the kinetics of the dynamic wound-healing process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy probands were treated with fractional carbon-dioxide laser with 8- and 16-W laser power, respectively. Optical follow-ups using CLSM and OCT were performed right after laser application and during the next 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although wound healing seems to be completed after day 7 to 14 clinically, on day 21 in 89.5% of the 8 W-treated areas and in 100% of the 16 W-treated areas subepidermal skin damage was still visible using CLSM and OCT imaging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The maximal penetration depth of CLSM is limited to the papillary dermis, whereas OCT can visualize deeper but with lower resolution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vivo CLSM and OCT are able to visualize changes after fractional laser treatment noninvasively. They allow especially the detection and quantification of substance defects and thereby help to elucidate the therapeutic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Elke Christina Erika
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Sattler
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poloczek
authors.forename: Raphaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kästle
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Welzel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CLSM; DEJ; MAZ; OCT; confocal laser scanning microscopy; dermoepidermal junction; fractional laser therapy; in vivo; microscopic ablation zone; noninvasive; optical coherence tomography; skin resurfacing; wound healing