Validity of laser speckle contrast imaging for the prediction of burn wound healing potential

•Accurate assessment of burn severity is essential for clinical decision making.•Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging is a promising technique in burn assessment.•Prediction of burn wound healing potential by LSCI is valid compared to LDI.•LSCI is a tool with high feasibility.•Future research in full thickness burns, colour palette, cost-effectiveness needed. To assess validity of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) for the measurement of burn wound healing potential (HP) in a burn centre patient population, based on Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) as reference standard. A single-centre prospective observational cohort study was performed between September–December 2019. A total of 50 burns in 14 patients were included. Imaging and data collection were standardized. Correlation between LSCI and LDI flux values was tested. ROC curves were developed to test the discriminative ability of LSCI between LDI HP categories. Number of adults and children were equal. Mean total body surface area burnt was 5.5%. Main burn causes were scalds (64%) and flame burns (36%). LSCI set-up and imaging duration was 3 min and 10 s, respectively. LSCI was able to discriminate between wounds with early versus delayed HP (21 days, similar sensitivity (74%) and specificity (95%) were found (p < 0.001). Correlations between LSCI and LDI flux values were moderate (21 days). LSCI shows good validity for the prediction of burn wound HP. It is a highly feasible, patient and physician friendly tool.