Optical diagnostic techniques in the head and neck

Dent Update. 2007 Sep;34(7):410-2, 415-6, 419-20 passim. doi: 10.12968/denu.2007.34.7.410.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopes
  • Endoscopy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Mouth Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Precancerous Conditions / diagnosis*
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods*