High-resolution two-photon imaging of HE-stained samples in dermatohistopathology – A pilot study on skin tumours

Non-invasive two-photon microscopy (TPM) provides a new technique which could become in the future a substitute for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of tissue sections of the epidermis and upper and middle dermis as well. High-resolution imaging, in combination with false-colour representation, allows an accurate reproduction of standard microscopy. The vertical skin viewing of epidermis and upper dermis by means of TPM allows for a new histopathological supportive technique, especially in non-melanoma skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. If it could be used on fresh tissue samples, it could provide an alternative method to Mohs 3D histology, even though the defi nitive criteria for melanocytic tumours have not yet been suffi ciently evaluated.