Real-time reflectance confocal microscopy, a noninvasive tool for in vivo quantitative evaluation of comedolysis in the rhino mouse model

Background: Near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive tool that provides real-time images of thin virtual horizontal tissue sections. Aims/Methods: We have used a rhino mouse model in combination with topical application of all-trans-retinoic acid and all-transretinol to investigate the usefulness of RCM as a noninvasive imaging tool to evaluate comedolysis in vivo and over time. Optical images were correlated with routine histology. Results: Our results demonstrate that RCM in vivo can visualize the process of transformation of utriculi (pseudocomedones) towards a normal-appearing follicular structure during retinoid treatment. The retinoic acid intervention group showed a dose-related response, while the vehicle-treated group did not show utricular changes. Conclusions: RCM represents a useful tool for in vivo morphological and quantitative evaluation of skin utriculi over time and could be used as an adjunct tool to histopathological techniques for comedolysis studies. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.