Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy for melanocytic lesions and autoimmune diseases

Background Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) enables bedside histology and offers the surgeon a direct intraoperative tissue examination. Objectives To determine whether this innovative, ultra-fast diagnostic tool can be expanded beyond nonmelanoma skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma, to other indications including melanocytic lesions and autoimmune diseases. Materials and methods Review of literature and summary of the current knowledge and experience of the use of ex vivo CLSM in melanocytic lesions and in autoimmune diseases. Results Up to date experience of the use of ex vivo CLSM in melanocytic lesions and in autoimmune diseases is limited but promising. Current knowledge on melanocytic lesions in ex vivo CLSM and their examples together with classic ex vivo CLSM features are presented. Previous results on the use of ex vivo CLSM in autoimmune dermatoses are presented, and future application possibilities of ex vivo CLSM are discussed. Conclusions The method is particularly suitable for the rapid examination of basal cell carcinomas during Mohs surgery but could also be used in the future for the intraoperative examination of melanocytic and autoimmune skin lesions.