Dynamic optical contrast imaging as a novel modality for rapidly distinguishing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from surrounding normal tissue.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are debilitating diseases for which a patient's prognosis depends heavily on complete tumor resection. Currently, the surgeon's fingers determine the location of tissue margins. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of a novel imaging modality, dynamic optical contrast imaging (DOCI), in the detection of HNSCC.