Optical coherence tomography has potential to treat port-wine birthmarks
Collaboration needed to advance technology for use in patient care
September 04, 2024
IN THE NEWS: A new study led by UC Irvine researchers found that while optical coherence tomography (OCT) could potentially guide port-wine birthmark treatment, the technology has a long way to go before it can be used in patient care.
Port-wine birthmarks are reddish-purple skin discolorations caused by a concentration of blood vessels. Using OCT, researchers measured the variability in blood vessel characteristics within 15 individual birthmarks on 10 patients, ranging from ages 8 to 72.
UCI Health dermatologist Dr. Kristen M. Kelly, corresponding author of the study, spoke to Healio about the findings.
“There is very wide variability in the number of vessels and in the size of vessels in port-wine birthmarks. I have to say, the degree of variability surprised me. We saw some port-wine birthmarks with vessels that were the size of what we would see in uninvolved skin and then there were ones where it was very dilated.”
The variability in vessel size means that numerous measurements would be required for treatment, making OCT a time-consuming option at the moment. Kelly says the best solution would be a tool that could rapidly and automatically measure vessels and select the appropriate laser settings.
“My hope really is that ultimately, we'll use [OCT] to be able to guide treatments. But it will be tricky. It requires engineers and clinicians, patients and scientists all working together to be able to optimize this in a way that will be most helpful to patients.”
Kelly is a dermatologist who sees patients at UCI Health Dermatology Services and the Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic. She is also a professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology in the UC Irvine School of Medicine.
Repeatedly named a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association, she has decades of experience using lasers to treat vascular birthmarks, scars and other dermatologic conditions. Kelly specializes in cutaneous vascular lesions, skin cancer and other skin conditions, including acne and sun damage, and is a leader in the use of imaging technologies to accurately diagnose skin cancer. She is the author or co-author of more than 100 publications and book chapters.
Read more
