Table 2-.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Optical Imaging Techniques^27,29

Modality	Advantages	Disadvantages
Microscopy: Confocal Microscopy Multiphoton Microscopy Photoacoustic Microscopy Video Microscopy	High resolution, high contrast Three dimensional imaging Provides information about cellular, architectural and morphological attributes Real time information on inflammation, edema, blood vessel dilation	Limited to superficial wounds Some imaging cannot be performed real time Some have large, expensive setup which cannot be use intraoperatively Videomicroscopy requires contact with skin Long imaging acquisition times (−10 minutes)
Perfusion imaging: Laser Doppler Imaging Laser Speckle Imaging	Real time perfusion measurement	Does not work under tourniquet
Tomography: Optical Coherence Tomography	High resolution, multisectional Has same accuracy as biopsies, and is non-invasive Can differentiate epidermis from dermis, useful to study epithelialization Real time imaging	Limited penetration power Expensive Small field of view Long acquisition time (~5 minutes)
Spectroscopy: Imaging Spectroscopy Near-infrared Imaging Spectroscopy Orthogonal Polarization Imaging Spectroscopy Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging	Small, portable devices Real time assessment of oxy-and deoxyhemoglobin and water concentration	Small field of view (1×1 mm)