Kosmet Med 2014. 34(6): 240-242

Optical coherence tomography for non-invasive diagnostics in dermatology
Optische Kohärenztomographie zur nichtinvasiven Diagnostik in der Dermatologie

Julia Welzel

Keywords: optical coherence tomography, non-invasive diagnosis, therapy monitoring, skin cancer, wound healing

Summary:
Optical coherence tomography is a non-invasive imaging method. It provides in vivo real-time cross-sectional images of several millimetres length and a depth penetration down to lower parts of the dermis. the epidermis, upper dermis, blood vessels and adnex structures can be distinguished. Oct allows diagnosis of basal cell carcinomas and actinic keratoses as well as monitoring of inflammatory skin diseases and wound healing. In cosmetic dermatology, Oct can be used for objective quantification of treatment effects. Especially results of laser therapy can be visualized and evaluated using this method.