Proposal for an in vivo histopathologic scoring system for skin aging by means of confocal microscopy. Issue 1 (7th June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Longo, Caterina; Casari, Alice; De, Barbara; Simonazzi, Silvia; Mazzaglia, Giovanna; Pellacani, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Skin research and technology. Volume 19:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: e167
• Page End: e173
• Publication Date: 2012-06-07
• Subjects: Skin -- Research -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skin -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2012.00623.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-752X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="srt623-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="srt623-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Many instrumental devices have been testing in analysing and quantifying the skin aging signs. However, histopathology still remains the only methods that allow a microscopic assessment of the skin. However, a skin biopsy is not feasible in aesthetically critical areas such as the face. Recently, confocal microscopy has been discovered as a noninvasive tool with a nearly histologic resolution. Distinct morphologic confocal aspects on facial skin have been described and correlated with the histopathologic counterparts.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt623-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>In our study we aim to develop an easy to use confocal aging score to quantify the skin aging related signs.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt623-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A sample of facial skin of fifty volunteers has been subjected to confocal imaging. Combining the previously identified confocal features, three different semi‐quantitative scores were calculated: – epidermal disarray score (irregular honeycombed pattern + epidermal thickness + furrow pattern); – epidermal hyperplasia score (mottled pigmentation + extent of polycyclic papillary + epidermal thickness; – collagen score (curled fibers, 2 for huddles of collagen, 1 for coarse collagen structures, and 0 for thin reticulated collagen)</p> </sec> <sec id="srt623-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The epidermal disarray score showed a stable trend up to 65 years and a dramatic increase in the elderly subjects epidermal. Hyperplasia score was characterized by an ascending trend from younger subjects to middle age. The total collagen score showed a progressive trend with age with a different proportion of distinct collagen type.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt623-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>RCM is a powerful, noninvasive technique that could permit to microscopically quantify the aging signs and to test cosmetic efficacy.</p> </sec> </abstract>