Potapov AL, Sirotkina MA, Matveev LA, Dudenkova VV, Elagin VV, Kuznetsov SS, Karabut MM, Komarova AD, Vagapova NN, Safonov IK, Kuznetsova IA, Radenska-Lopovok SG, Zagaynova EV, Gladkova ND. Multiphoton microscopy assessment of the structure and variability changes of dermal connective tissue in vulvar lichen sclerosus: A pilot study.
JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2022;
15:e202200036. [PMID:
35652856 DOI:
10.1002/jbio.202200036]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we offer a novel classification of progressive changes in the connective tissue of dermis in vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) relying on quantitative assessment of the second harmonic generation (SHG) signal received from formalin fixed and deparaffinized tissue sections. We formulate criteria for distinguishing four degrees of VLS development: Initial-Mild-Moderate-Severe. Five quantitative characteristics (length and thickness type I Collagen fibers, Mean SHG signal intensity, Skewness and Coherence SHG signal) are used to describe the sequential degradation of connective tissue (changes in the structure, orientation, shape and density of collagen fibers) up to the formation of specific homogeneous masses. Each of the degrees has a characteristic set of quantitatively expressed features. We focus on the identification and description of early, initial changes of the dermis as the least specific. The results obtained by us and the proposed classification of the degrees of the disease can be used to objectify the dynamics of tissue changes during treatment.
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