Ex vivo confocal microscopy features of common benign lesions that mimic non-melanoma skin cancers: Towards clinical integration

Abstract

Ex vivo confocal microscope (EVCM) rapidly images freshly excised tissue at a histopathological resolution. EVCM features of keratinocyte skin cancers are well-established, but those of benign clinical mimickers remain scarce. We describe EVCM features of common benign lesions and compare them with their malignant differentials. EVCM was used to image 14 benign and 3 cancer tissues. We compared EVCM features of benign lesions with corresponding histopathology and with those of keratinocyte cancers. Key features of benign lesions were identified and differentiated from malignant lesions. Elastin and fat appeared prominent in EVCM; while koilocytes and melanin were difficult to identify. Visualization of entire epidermis was challenging due to difficulty of tissue flattening during imaging. Benign lesions can be differentiated from keratinocyte cancers with EVCM. Using EVCM, a rapid, bedside diagnosis and management of skin neoplasms is possible, especially in a remote location without a histopathology lab.