Optical diagnostic techniques for use in lesions of the head and neck: review of the latest developments

Abstract

Optical biopsy systems are a potential adjunct to the histopathological assessment of tissue specimens; they are not invasive and can give an immediate result. We review the most common optical biopsy techniques used to detect lesions of the head and neck: elastic scattering spectroscopy, microendoscopy, narrow band imaging, fluorescence, and optical coherence tomography, and discuss their clinical use.

Keywords: elastic scattering spectroscopy; fluorescence; microendoscopy; narrow-band imaging; optical biopsy; optical coherence tomography; oral cancer; skin cancer.