Dermatoscopy

Dermatoscope using polarized light

The goal of dermatoscopy is to examine the surface of the skin, thus early detection of incipient melanoma (the most malignant skin tumor) at a time when it is easily treatable. The dermatoscope is a portable lighted 10x to 20x magnifying glass that allows you to recognize individual structural features in the pigment manifestations being examined.

Modern digital dermatoscopes use polarized light and the use of immersion is not as necessary as in the case of immersion dermatoscopes. Perfect training in this examination method is the basis for establishing the correct dermatoscopic diagnosis. The high subjectivity of dermatoscopic findings remains a problem.

Precisely digital dermatoscopy, which mathematically analyzes the dermatoscopic parameters of pigment manifestations, was a successful step towards reducing subjectivity and improving the standardization of the assessment of dermatoscopic findings. It increases the accuracy of the diagnosis of early melanomas and enables continuous monitoring of pigmented skin lesions. Images of melanomas are digitally stored and shared in databases where possible risks can be compared and assessed.

Links

References

• SEDLÁŘ, Martin – STAFFA, Erik – MORNSTEIN, Vojtěch. Zobrazovací metody využívající neionizující záření [online]. Brno : Biofyzikální ústav Lékařské fakulty Masarykovy univerzity v Brně, 2013, Available from <http://www.med.muni.cz/biofyz/zobrazovacimetody/files/zobrazovaci_metody.pdf>.