Dermoscopy is a key examination in the early diagnosis of skin lesions and, more specifically, skin cancers. This is a screening to study the characteristics of suspicious skin formations and to:
- Carry out mole screening and early detection of melanoma;
- Make a diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors of non-melanocytic nature;
- exploit a diagnostic aid in pathologies of an infectious nature (viral warts, condylomata, molluscum contagiosum, pediculosis, acariasis, scabies, onychomycosis,…) and those of an inflammatory nature (psoriasis, lichen, pityriasis rosea of Gilbert,…);
- Make a diagnosis of scalp diseases.
Besides the diagnosis of pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions, in fact, dermoscopy is also applied to the diagnosis of diseases affecting hair and scalp (trichoscopy), nail abnormalities, inflammation (inflammoscopy), and skin infections and infestations (entomodermoscopy).
The advantages
Dermoscopy is a great ally of prevention that brings with it numerous benefits because:
- Is noninvasive and totally painless;
- manifests no side effects;
- allows early diagnosis to be made;
- allows a targeted treatment course to be undertaken;
- Reduces unnecessary surgical removals.
Analog dermatoscope and digital dermatoscope
Using the dermatoscope, the dermatologist explores the patient’s entire skin surface, examining the nevi present and mapping them (hence the term mole mapping). This instrument can be analog or digital.
Analog dermoscopy is implemented through a hand-held dermatoscope, which is practical to handle and ergonomic, allowing a direct view of the lesion to the specialist alone, who observes it through a magnifying glass to detect any skin lesions. The analog dermatoscope by definition does not allow the storage and monitoring of lesion images over time; however, there is the possibility of connecting a digital camera to it in order to take photos and then download them to the PC.
In contrast, digital dermoscopy employs a dermatoscope with a built-in camera to observe lesions through the digital camera screen and not through the magnifying glass. This allows the specialist to acquire dermoscopic images of skin lesions during the patient’s examination without having to use an external camera.
Image archiving for comparison of lesions and their evolution over time is a very important technology to make use of for prevention and detection of suspicious cases. The resulting photos are numbered and archived so that they are available for future comparisons and to detect any changes in the appearance or size of the snows that are not detectable to the naked eye. Indeed, it is important to recognize in time the presence of a dangerous mole; its eventual removal prevents its degeneration into melanoma, one of the most aggressive skin cancers.
State-of-the-art analog dermatoscopes and Dermlite lenses
The latest generation of manual dermatoscopes can also be equipped with LED light (such as Dermlite’s). More advanced models allow for polarized and non-polarized illumination, two brightness levels, a wide field of view, and two levels of skin color correction control. Unlike traditional analog dermatoscopes, which require the use of oil or gel, those with polarized light do not require the use of oil or gel because the special filtering of light can perform the same task as contact fluids.
The advantages of dermatoscopy or dry dermoscopy with cross-polarized light performed with the latest generation of LED dermatoscopes are:
- no alteration of the vasculature
- rapidity of the examination
- maximum hygiene
- excellent visual performance
Thus colors, pigmentation, inflammation, follicles and vessels, and all skin structures can be examined clearly and sharply.
If you have done a self-examination of moles and noticed any doubtful cases or if it has been a long time since you have done a thorough skin check, call us and schedule a visit.
We are waiting for you in Rome, Via Cola di Rienzo, 212 at our Prati Dermatology Medical Office for a checkup. Call 06 45471658 and make an appointment.
