Ex Vivo Dermatoscopy of Scalp Specimens and Slides

The study evaluated the effectiveness of ex vivo dermatoscopy in processing scalp biopsies for hair loss, involving 43 scalp biopsies and 40 horizontal sections from glass slides. Dermatology residents were able to identify the dermo-epidermal junction in 95.3% of cases using dermatoscopic images, and pathologists agreed on various aspects of the specimen quality in the majority of cases. The findings suggest that ex vivo dermatoscopy could reduce laboratory costs and improve diagnostic efficiency by guiding correct bisection and speeding up the review process. The document also mentions the potential for lab technicians to be trained in this technique, which could be particularly beneficial when the dermatopathologist is not located near the lab. Despite these advantages, the study calls for further research to assess the cost-effectiveness and return on investment for the necessary equipment and training.