研究目的
To introduce reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and its use in clinical practice, focusing on its usefulness in the diagnosis and management of skin cancers.
研究成果
RCM may improve the diagnostic accuracy and early detection of equivocal skin lesions and reduce the number of unnecessary excisions of benign tumors, thereby decreasing its associated morbidity and health care expenditures. RCM's ability to scan the entire lesion and non-invasively determine the most diagnostically and prognostically significant area to biopsy will help to reduce the risk of sampling error and false-negative rates.
研究不足
The maximum imaging depth is about 300 μm, with resolution decreasing substantially below 100 to 150 μm. The diagnostic accuracy of RCM imaging is not 100%, and there is a risk of error when compared with histopathology. Training requirements are significant, with a minimum of 4 to 6 months needed to reach an acceptable level of diagnostic accuracy.