[Multiphoton microscopy and in vivo tomography in dermatologic imaging].

Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) and in vivo multiphoton tomography (MPT) are non-invasive examination techniques that allow for the evaluation of cellular as well as extra-cellular structures by working at a subcellular resolution level. These techniques are thus appropriate not only for clinical diagnostics but also for scientific issues in basic and applied research. MPM and MPT are based on the stimulation of biogenic fluorophores by two or more long-wave, low-energy photons and the evocation of second harmonic generation (SHG). Thus, the evaluation quality of cell clusters and tissues is similar to histological sections. At the same time the dermal fiber network can be assessed. MPT was developed further for the application in non-invasive in vivo diagnostics of skin diseases. This review presents the capabilities of multiphoton-based diagnostics in the evaluation of transcutaneous metabolism. In addition, the multiphoton techniques employed for the evaluation of physiologic and pathologic changes of the dermal fiber network as well as in the diagnosis of dermal and epidermal disorders by visual biopsy. Besides the morphological classification of benign and malignant skin tumors or allergic or inflammatory skin lesions, the techniques also allow for recording metabolic processes.