Review Paper: The Use of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in Selected Inflammatory Skin Diseases

The document from 2015 reviews reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), a non-invasive diagnostic tool for imaging the epidermis and upper dermis, and its application in diagnosing various inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, Darier's disease, and alopecia areata. It highlights RCM's advantages like non-invasiveness and the ability to monitor skin changes over time, while also acknowledging limitations such as shallow penetration depth and the need for an adhesive metal ring for scalp imaging. The review suggests potential improvements for RCM, including different light sources and contrast agents to enhance imaging depth and tissue recognition. Despite challenges like high costs and complex interpretation, RCM is seen as valuable for rapid diagnosis and reducing invasive biopsies, with accuracy comparable to histopathology for certain skin diseases. The paper anticipates technological advancements and more defined diagnostic criteria for RCM in the future.