Confocal reflectance imaging of folliculitis in vivo:: correlation with routine histology

Near-infrared confocal reflectance microscopy (CM) is a high-resolution non-invasive imaging technique with promising future in dermatology. A pustular lesion from a 35-year-old male with a known history of folliculitis was non-invasively viewed with CM and later biopsied, Optical sections were correlated with routine histology. This optical technique allows us to view non-invasively transverse skin sections to a controlled depth in real time, In the CM images, tissue can be visualized with cellular and subcellular detail as shown by imaging infiltrating neutrophils (PMNs) within the subcorneal pustule of a superficial folliculitis in vivo.