Optical diagnostic techniques in the head and neck.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this review article is to compare findings from recent prospective studies on microendoscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) with histopathology on formalin-fixed surgical specimens, to assess if those techniques can be used as an adjunct or alternative to histopathology in defining tissue involvement. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These are non-invasive techniques to aid diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, used to guide the more acurate delivery of treatment, eg photodynamic therapy specifically to abnormal areas.