INTRODUCTION: Topical application of gold microparticles (GMPs) for selective photothermolysis is a recently FDA-cleared therapy for acne vulgaris. Current evidence indicates the potential of optical imaging to non-invasively visualize GMPs and describe photothermal tissue effects. OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively and quantitatively describe GMP delivery in vivo and visualize laser-mediated thermal effects of GMPs in facial skin of acne patients and healthy participants, using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Patients with facial acne (n = 14), and healthy participants (n = 7) were included. RCM and OCT images were acquired at baseline, after GMP application, and after diode laser exposure. All images were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively with regards to GMP delivery in skin layers and morphological thermal effects. Lastly, skin biopsies were obtained to compare RCM and OCT findings to histology. RESULTS: GMPs were delivered equally in healthy participants and acne patients, and in lesional and non-lesional acne skin. In RCM images, GMPs appeared as hyperreflective aggregates inside hair follicles and eccrine ducts, corresponding to natural skin openings (NSOs). The fraction of NSOs with hyperreflective content increased significantly after GMP application compared to baseline (50-75% increase, P = 8.88 × 10-16 ). Similarly, in OCT images, GMPs appeared as hyperreflective columns inside hair follicles and were not detected in surrounding skin. GMPs reached a maximum depth of 920 μm (median 300 μm). After laser exposure, RCM and histology revealed selective perifollicular tissue changes around NSOs. CONCLUSION: Optical imaging visualizes GMP delivery and thermal tissue response following laser exposure and enables bedside monitoring of transfollicular microparticle delivery. Lasers Surg. Med.
INTRODUCTION: Topical application of gold microparticles (GMPs) for selective photothermolysis is a recently FDA-cleared therapy for acne vulgaris. Current evidence indicates the potential of optical imaging to non-invasively visualize GMPs and describe photothermal tissue effects. OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively and quantitatively describe GMP delivery in vivo and visualize laser-mediated thermal effects of GMPs in facial skin of acnepatients and healthy participants, using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS:Patients with facial acne (n = 14), and healthy participants (n = 7) were included. RCM and OCT images were acquired at baseline, after GMP application, and after diode laser exposure. All images were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively with regards to GMP delivery in skin layers and morphological thermal effects. Lastly, skin biopsies were obtained to compare RCM and OCT findings to histology. RESULTS:GMPs were delivered equally in healthy participants and acnepatients, and in lesional and non-lesional acne skin. In RCM images, GMPs appeared as hyperreflective aggregates inside hair follicles and eccrine ducts, corresponding to natural skin openings (NSOs). The fraction of NSOs with hyperreflective content increased significantly after GMP application compared to baseline (50-75% increase, P = 8.88 × 10-16 ). Similarly, in OCT images, GMPs appeared as hyperreflective columns inside hair follicles and were not detected in surrounding skin. GMPs reached a maximum depth of 920 μm (median 300 μm). After laser exposure, RCM and histology revealed selective perifollicular tissue changes around NSOs. CONCLUSION: Optical imaging visualizes GMP delivery and thermal tissue response following laser exposure and enables bedside monitoring of transfollicular microparticle delivery. Lasers Surg. Med.
Authors: Jingke Yao; Tamara Muñoz-Ortiz; Francisco Sanz-Rodríguez; Emma Martín Rodríguez; Dirk H Ortgies; José García Solé; Daniel Jaque; Riccardo Marin Journal: ACS Photonics Date: 2022-02-07 Impact factor: 7.529
Authors: Antonio Alma; Alberto Sticchi; Camilla Chello; Stefania Guida; Francesca Farnetani; Johanna Chester; Vincenzo Bettoli; Giovanni Pellacani; Marco Manfredini Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-03-24 Impact factor: 4.241