Abstract
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a novel, noninvasive imaging technique based on the collection of in vivo high-resolution images using the differential reflectance of the subcellular structures of the epidermis and dermis when illuminated with a coherent light source. RCM has been used to visualize different skin pathologies, notably actinic keratoses and several types of skin cancer, including squamous and basal cell carcinomas and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is particularly amenable to examination by RCM, and its clinical features as visualized by this technique have been described in detail. In addition, RCM allows follow-up of the response of diseased skin to treatment and aids in the determination of the precision of surgical procedures due to the possibility of performing repetitive examinations without further damage of the affected area.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This work has been partially supported by a grant from the Carlos III Health Institute, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (PS09/01099). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.