Optical coherence tomography of the human skin☆,☆☆,★,★★
Section snippets
Technique
The OCT system is based on the principle of Michelson interferometry using short coherence length light. Infrared light from a 830 nm superluminescence diode is coupled into an optical fiber interferometer. The optical path length distribution of the sample beam measured by the interference modulation of the axial OCT scan can be interpreted as the depth resolved reflection signal of the sample. Interference occurs only when the propagation distance of both beams match within the coherence
RESULTS
The correlation between OCT images and histology of normal skin can be seen in Fig. 1. The OCT cross sections showed differences depending on the location. On the palm, especially on the fingers, a thick stratum
DISCUSSION
Superficial human skin can be visualized with high-resolution OCT. Different layers of healthy skin can be distinguished as well as bullous changes and skin tumors. In conjunction with histologic examination we were able to assign the structures seen in OCT to microscopic morphology. In different experimentally induced bullous changes of the skin we were able to distinguish between the layers seen in OCT images.
The axial resolution of 15 μm allowed detection of cell aggregates and layers in
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From the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lübeck,a and the Medical Laser Center, Lübeck.b
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Supported in part by the German Ministry of Science and Research (BMBF), FK No. 13N6302.
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Reprint requests: Julia Welzel, MD, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
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