Line-field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography Aids in Actinic Keratosis and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identification

Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) provides a real-time and noninvasive examination technique to aid in actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) identification.

In a retrospective observational multicenter study, researchers aimed to identify and describe LC-OCT criteria associated with SCC and AK and to compare LC-OCT findings in these tumors. LC-OCT was used to image lesions before surgery. The lesions also had histologic examinations. In all study lesions, LC-OCT criteria for AK/SCC were identified and their presence evaluated.

A total of 158 patients with 50 AKs and 108 SCCs (62 in situ vs 46 invasive) were included in the study. Cytologic and architectural alterations were found in most lesions. Differences were found among AKs and SCCs, though an outlined dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) without broad strands were observed in nearly all AKs and SCCs in situ. The DEJ was detectable in only three invasive SCC (P<.001).

“Our results suggest that LC-OCT can help clinicians in the identification of AK and SCC and their differentiation, providing a real-time and non-invasive examination,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Cinotti E, Tognetti L, Cartocci A, et al. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography for actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma: a descriptive study. Clin Exp Dermatol. Published online June 11, 2021. doi:10.1111/ced.14801