Alternative uses of dermoscopy in daily clinical practice: An update

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Dec;79(6):1117-1132.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.021. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that is currently being used for neoplastic skin lesions, several inflammatory and infectious diseases, and skin appendage disorders. As the clinical applications of dermoscopy beyond pigmented lesions are constantly increasing, the aim of this article is to provide an update on this topic. This comprehensive review substantiates how several diseases may show peculiar dermoscopy features so as to enhance the diagnosis and avoid (in selected cases) unnecessary histologic confirmation. In other cases, dermoscopy features may be shared with other conditions, with the advantage of narrowing down the differential diagnosis by ruling out those dermatoses with similar clinical aspect but different dermoscopic presentation.

Keywords: dermoscopy; diagnosis; entodermoscopy; infectious skin disorder; inflammatory skin disorders; inflammoscopy; onychoscopy; skin appendage disorders; trichoscopy; videodermoscopy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dermatitis / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis / pathology
  • Dermoscopy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hair Diseases / diagnosis
  • Hair Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • Nail Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nail Diseases / pathology
  • Nevus, Pigmented / diagnosis
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Procedures and Techniques Utilization
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology