Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42290222›Full record

ArticleSkin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI)2026

In Vivo Microscopic Features of Acne vulgaris Revealed via LC-OCT.

Daniele Omar Traini, Gerardo Palmisano, Alessandro Di Stefani, Enrico Bocchino, Cristina Guerriero, Mariano Suppa, Ketty Peris

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Daniele Omar TrainiDepartment of Dermatology, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7926-3389
Gerardo PalmisanoDepartment of Dermatology, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9681-1681
Alessandro Di StefaniDepartment of Dermatology, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Enrico BocchinoDepartment of Dermatology, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9208-8887
Cristina GuerrieroDepartment of Dermatology, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Mariano SuppaDepartment of Dermatology, Hôpital Erasme, HUB, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9266-0342
Ketty PerisDepartment of Dermatology, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1957-6600

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcne vulgaris is a common skin disorder characterized by multifactorial pathogenesis. In recent years, multiple non-invasive imaging methods have been explored to monitor in vivo acne lesions. Technologies such as reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have improved our capabilities to characterize and monitor this condition; nevertheless, limitations remain in resolution and depth. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a novel imaging technique that combines the strengths of RCM and OCT, offering high-resolution vertical and horizontal imaging of skin tissue up to 500 µm deep. The aim of this study was to characterize and quantify the microstructural features of different acne lesion morphologies using LC-OCT and to compare these findings with those observed in normal skin.

methodsA total of 52 facial acne lesions (microcomedones, closed and open comedones, papules, and pustules) from 20 patients with mild-to-moderate acne and 15 healthy controls were imaged using LC-OCT. Vertical, horizontal, and 3D images were analyzed for structural features, with quantitative measurements of lesion diameter and depth.

resultsLC-OCT revealed distinct microstructural features at each stage of acne development. Microcomedones showed bright perifollicular rings in 83.3% of cases, absent in healthy skin, indicating early follicular hyper keratinization. Closed comedones appeared as cystic, keratin-filled structures beneath intact epidermis, while open comedones displayed surface discontinuities and mixed reflectivity plugs. Papules and pustules demonstrated perifollicular hyperreflective halos and numerous "bright dots", corresponding to inflammatory cell infiltrates.

conclusionsLC-OCT provides non-invasive, high-resolution imaging of acne microarchitecture, from subclinical changes in acne-prone skin and incipient microcomedones to inflammatory lesions, offering potential utility in diagnosis, disease monitoring and personalized therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

Acne VulgarisSkinTomography, Optical CoherenceAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMaleMicroscopy, ConfocalYoung AdultacneimagingLC‐OCTLine field confocal optical coherence tomography

Identifiers

PMID42290222
PMCPMC13266275

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.