A new Monte Carlo program for simulating light transport through port wine stain skin

Abstract

A new Monte Carlo program is presented for simulating light transport through clinically normal skin and skin containing Port Wine Stain (PWS) vessels. The program consists of an eight-layer mathematical skin model constructed from optical coefficients described previously. A simulation including diffuse illumination at the surface and subsequent light transport through the model is carried out using a radiative transfer theory ray-tracing technique. Total reflectance values over 39 wavelengths are scored by the addition of simulated light returning to the surface within a specified region and surface reflections (calculated using Fresnel's equations). These reflectance values are compared to measurements from individual participants, and characteristics of the model are adjusted until adequate agreement is produced between simulated and measured skin reflectance curves. The absorption and scattering coefficients of the epidermis are adjusted through changes in the simulated concentrations and mean diameters of epidermal melanosomes to reproduce non-lesional skin colour. Pseudo-cylindrical horizontal vessels are added to the skin model, and their simulated mean depths, diameters and number densities are adjusted to reproduce measured PWS skin colour. Accurate reproductions of colour measurement data are produced by the program, resulting in realistic predictions of melanin and PWS blood vessel parameters. Using a modest personal computer, the simulation currently requires an average of five and a half days to complete.

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