Noninvasive imaging tools in dermatology

Cutis. 2019 Aug;104(2):108-113.

Abstract

The diagnosis of skin disease relies on visual inspection, often followed by biopsy and histopathologic examination, which remains the gold standard in diagnosis. New imaging tools, including dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT), can provide noninvasive diagnoses while sparing unnecessary biopsies. We discuss dermoscopy, RCM, and OCT, and compare cost, clinical integration, reimbursement, and accuracy of these imaging modalities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy / methods
  • Dermatology / methods
  • Dermoscopy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*