In vivo confocal microscopy

An in vivo confocal microscope allows "microscope-like" imaging of the deeper skin layers of a lesion while on the patient's skin (ie. before surgical excision or biopsy). In this way an "optical biopsy" can be taken without any invasive procedure. This is particularly useful for diagnosing superficial melanoma (lentigo maligna melanoma). We are researching other uses of the instrument in our clinic.