Introduction
Capsule Summary
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Dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy are noninvasive techniques allowing magnified in vivo skin observation, which have demonstrated to be useful in a wide variety of cutaneous disorders (including ectoparasitic infestations, cutaneous/mucosal infections, hair and nail abnormalities, psoriasis and other dermatological as well as some cosmetological conditions) beyond the traditional indication for pigmented lesions of the skin.
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Dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy may be useful for differential diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and monitoring response to treatment.
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The aim of this article is to advance knowledge about and update the alternative uses of dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy by reviewing existing papers and presenting our experience.
Dermatoscopy, also known as dermoscopy, epiluminescence microscopy, or surface microscopy, is a noninvasive technique allowing rapid and magnified in vivo observation of the skin with the visualization of morphologic features often imperceptible to the naked eye. It is performed with manual devices which do not require any computer “assistance” and generally employs ×10 magnifications (Table I). Videodermatoscopy (VD) represents the evolution of dermatoscopy and is performed with a video-camera equipped with lenses providing magnification ranging from ×10 to ×1000.1, 2 The images obtained are visualized on a monitor and stored on a personal computer in order to process them and compare any possible changes over time (Table II).
Both dermatoscopy and VD have greatly improved the diagnostic accuracy of pigmented skin lesions and, more recently, the evaluation of nonpigmented skin disorders. They are usually performed according to an epiluminescence microscopy technique facilitated by the application of a liquid (oil, alcohol, or water) to the skin to eliminate light reflection. However, this method has been recently replaced by new systems involving polarized light instead of liquids, with comparable results.2, 3 Over the past few years, both dermatoscopy and VD have been demonstrated to be useful in a wide variety of cutaneous disorders, including ectoparasitic infestations, cutaneous/mucosal infections, hair and nail abnormalities, psoriasis, and other dermatological as well as cosmetologic conditions.