Dermatoscopy: Alternative Uses in Daily Clinical Practice
June 2011
TLDR Dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy are useful for diagnosing and monitoring various skin, hair, and nail conditions.
The document from June 1, 2011, reviews the use of dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy (VD) in clinical practice, emphasizing their utility beyond evaluating pigmented skin lesions. Dermatoscopy allows for magnified in vivo observation of the skin, while VD achieves higher magnifications and image storage for comparison over time. These techniques aid in diagnosing ectoparasitic infestations, cutaneous/mucosal infections, hair and nail abnormalities, and psoriasis. VD is particularly useful in diagnosing hair disorders, with specific signs identified for androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and scarring alopecias. It also helps in diagnosing nail diseases and various skin conditions such as rosacea, sebaceous hyperplasia, pigmented purpuric dermatoses, Kaposi's sarcoma, actinic porokeratosis, and xanthomatous neoplasms. The document concludes that dermatoscopy and VD are valuable for differential diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and monitoring treatment response in daily clinical practice.
