Abstract:
The goal of this Promotion is to compare ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), which offers rapid images without the need for tissue processing, vs 3-dimensional histologic imaging, the criterion standard treatment for basal cell carcinomas in high-risk areas of the face. Furthermore the aim is to evaluate if the use of ex vivo CLSM is viable for the diary clinical life.
For the study seventy-two consecutive surgically removed BCCs were examined. For 3-dimensional histologic slides, the paraffin technique was used. The tumor specimens were further dissected using the following techniques: Tübinger torte, muffin, and “bread loaf” (using 1-mm step sections).
The specimens were incubated in acetic acid and stained with toluidine blue before CLSM imaging. After imaging, the specimens were placed in a routine cassette, and tissue was prepared using the standard paraffin method with hematoxylin-eosin staining.
For the CLSM imaging a modified version of a commercially available confocal laser scanning microscope was used; this version was designed for imaging ex vivo excised fresh tissue. Immediately after surgery, all imaged confocal mosaics of an excised tumor specimen were evaluated by the attending surgeon.
A total of 312 images, including 73 midsections, 196 lateral margins, 23 muffins, and 20 bread loaf sections, were obtained using CLSM from 72 surgically removed BCCs. The sensitivity of CLSM reached 94.0% in midsections, 73.7% in lateral margins, 80.0% in muffins, and 80.0% in bread loaf sections.
With the technical improved VivaScope 2500, images could be observed directly on the display of the VivaScope. So for the first time it was possible to integrate the CLSM as a standard procedure in surgical daily routine.
A complete mosaic of the size of 13 mm x 11 mm could be obtained in less then three minutes, what never before has been reached.
Unfortunately the BCC identification rate on the scans of micrographic surgery specimens did not reach the desired hit rate. One of the reasons could be the immediacy of evaluations during or between surgical procedures, factors such as time pressure, stress, or fatigue could have influenced the results. There was also a continuous improvement in handling and fixing the fresh tissue. This factor might have influenced the interobserver variability.
However, for the use of BCC identification on images of micrographic surgery (CLSM) specimens there must be a higher sensitivity and specificity.
For further investigations specific fluorescence could be used in combination with the microscope used herein, offering fast imaging and correct interpretation directly in the operating theater. This would represent a revolution in micrographic surgery.
In conclusion, CLSM lacks high sensitivity to detect small tumor strands of BCCs. Training surgeons to read CLSM images is essential. For micrographic surgery, CLSM may represent a timesaving and less expensive alternative to cryostat histopathologic examination.