BACKGROUND: The ability of physicians for early diagnosis of cutaneous @entity320 is less than perfect, prompting research into noninvasive methods for diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) for noninvasive imaging of benign and @entity5 in vivo. METHODS: Forty @entity272 (including adjacent normal skin as control) in vivo were imaged with near-infrared CSLM. The confocal images were correlated to histopathology. RESULTS: Nuclear, cellular, and architectural detail in the epidermis and superficial dermis is imaged with high resolution and contrast. Melanin causes the cytoplasm of pigmented cells to appear bright. @entity8205 had cohesive nests of uniformly circular cells and increased microvascular blood flow. @entity320 had a polymorphous cytologic structure, containing atypical, pleomorphic cells in disarray and irregular dendritic cells. CONCLUSION: CSLM is capable of identifying distinct patterns and cytologic features of benign and malignant @entity272 in vivo. CSLM may be useful to noninvasively discriminate benign and malignant lesions in vivo.

Confocal scanning laser microscopy of benign and malignant melanocytic XXXX in vivo.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['malignant melanocytic lesions'] @entity8205 :: ('MESH:D009508', 'Disease') :: ['Melanocytic nevi'] @entity320 :: ('MESH:D008545', 'Disease') :: ['melanomas', 'Melanomas'] @entity272 :: ('MESH:D012871', 'Disease') :: ['pigmented skin lesions']
@entity272 :: (MESH:D012871,Disease) :: ['skin lesions']
