LAUSR

Short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR-HSI) is applied to diagnose and monitor a case of allergic contact dermatitis due to poison ivy exposure in one subject. This approach directly demonstrates increased tissue fluid content in allergic contact dermatitis lesional skin with a spectral signature that matches the spectral signature of intradermally injected normal saline. The best contrast between the affected and unaffected skin is achieved through a selection of specific wavelengths at 1070 nm, 1340 nm, and 1605 nm and combining them in a pseudo-RGB color space. An image derived from these wavelengths normalized to unaffected skin defines a "Tissue Fluid Index" that may aid in the quantitative diagnosis and monitoring of allergic contact dermatitis. Further clinical testing of this promising approach towards disease detection and monitoring with tissue fluid content quantification is warranted. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.