Maria Contaldo1, Dario Di Stasio1, Massimo Petruzzi2, Rosario Serpico1, Alberta Lucchese1. 1. Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy. 2. Interdisciplinar Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an imaging technique that can virtually biopsy vital tissues, noninvasively and in real time. It results in horizontal virtual slices at a microscopic resolution that correlates well with conventional histopathology. Despite the widespread use of RCM in dermatology, it is still rarely applied to the study of oral pathologies. The aim of the present work is to describe RCM cellular and architectural findings in oral mucosae affected by oral lichen planus (OLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of conventionally diagnosed OLP lesions underwent RCM imaging with a portable reflectance confocal microscope that could scan from the surface to the submucosa. The confocal findings were collected, described, and compared with the literature. RESULTS: A total of 31 oral sites affected by OLP in 12 patients were considered. According to their clinical appearance, 22 lesions showed a reticular-plaque pattern, six lesions were mainly atrophic-erosive, and the remaining three presented a mixed pattern. RCM examination showed hypergranulosis, epithelial disarray, spongiosis, necrotic keratinocytes, epithelial and subepithelial inflammatory cell infiltration, and dilated vessels; all findings were in lichen planus, with differences noted between the "white" and "red" manifestations of this pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RCM in routine clinical oral pathology tests is recommended to avoid recurrence of OLP and changes in its responsiveness to therapy, thus limiting the need for biopsy of lesions suspected of tumoral changes.
BACKGROUND: In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an imaging technique that can virtually biopsy vital tissues, noninvasively and in real time. It results in horizontal virtual slices at a microscopic resolution that correlates well with conventional histopathology. Despite the widespread use of RCM in dermatology, it is still rarely applied to the study of oral pathologies. The aim of the present work is to describe RCM cellular and architectural findings in oral mucosae affected by oral lichen planus (OLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of conventionally diagnosed OLP lesions underwent RCM imaging with a portable reflectance confocal microscope that could scan from the surface to the submucosa. The confocal findings were collected, described, and compared with the literature. RESULTS: A total of 31 oral sites affected by OLP in 12 patients were considered. According to their clinical appearance, 22 lesions showed a reticular-plaque pattern, six lesions were mainly atrophic-erosive, and the remaining three presented a mixed pattern. RCM examination showed hypergranulosis, epithelial disarray, spongiosis, necrotic keratinocytes, epithelial and subepithelial inflammatory cell infiltration, and dilated vessels; all findings were in lichen planus, with differences noted between the "white" and "red" manifestations of this pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RCM in routine clinical oral pathology tests is recommended to avoid recurrence of OLP and changes in its responsiveness to therapy, thus limiting the need for biopsy of lesions suspected of tumoral changes.
Authors: Antonio Romano; Fausto Fiori; Massimo Petruzzi; Fedora Della Vella; Rosario Serpico Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-29 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Dario Di Stasio; Marco Montella; Antonio Romano; Giuseppe Colella; Rosario Serpico; Alberta Lucchese Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2022-01-23 Impact factor: 6.639