Introduction Flashcards
(97 cards)
Sensitivity of naked-eye examination for melanoma detection (dermatologists)
65-80%
Overall benefit of dermoscopy in melanoma Dx
Dermoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy by 10–27%
Advantages of dermoscopy
- significantly improves the in vivo diagnostic accuracy of melanoma
- can differentiate most lesions of the skin from melanoma
- reduces unneeded biopsies
- Basic instrumentation is affordable
- easy to use
- noninvasive technique that allows microscopic visualization of subsurface skin structures not visible to the naked eye
Which are the qualities of a good test?
- Accuracy
- No adverse effects
- target disorder dangerous if left untreated
- effective treatment if diagnosed early
How Can Dermoscopy Help?

Primary difference of dermoscopy vs naked-eye skin examination
- visualize structures below the level of the stratum corneum to the depth of the superficial dermis
Why can’t we observe with naked-eye the morphological structures that are located below the stratum corneum?
- Because the refractive index of the stratum corneum is higher than that of air, much of the incident light is reflected off the surface of the skin
- this diffuse backscattered light overwhelms the retina, and thereby obscures the visualizing of light that is reflected from the deeper layers of the skin
Rationale in using liquid interface in non-polarized dermoscopy(NPD)
- Because there is a closer match of refractive indices within the skin–liquid–glass inter- face, light reflection is decreased, thereby minimizing glare, which in turn makes the stratum corneum appear more translucent
- This optical setup per- mits the observer to see deeper structures in the skin
Best immersion liquid for dermoscopy?
70% alcohol
- it yielded fewer air bubbles & provided clearer images
- reduces bacterial contamination
Best immersion liquid for nail dermoscopy & why?
US or antibacterial gels
- gel’s viscosity prevents it from rolling off the convex nail surface.
How to minimize air bubbles in the gel used in dermoscopy?
- store the gel bottles upside down
- avoid shaking the bottle
- squeeze out a small amount of the gel before use so as to discard remnant dried gel
What will be the result if we use NPD without a liquid interface?
- The user will simply see a magnified clinical (not dermoscopic) image of the lesion
- no dermoscopic structures will be discernable
Main technique of polarized dermoscopes
Cross-polarization
Main advantages of cross-polarized system
- the 2 polarizers allow the dermoscope to preferentially capture the backscattered light from the deeper layers of the skin
- eliminates the necessity of a liquid interface
- does not require direct contact with the skin
Blood vessels & pink color are evident in PD or NPD, why?
PD (doesn’t require skin contact)
- pressure applied from the NPD scope against the skin can compress small blood vessels in a lesion, making it difficult to visualize them
Blue-white color (due to orthokeratosis), Milia-like cyst, Regression are more conspicuous under PD or NPD?
NPD
The PD instrument displays the melanin pigment with varying and darker shades of brown and blue compared with NPD
Some of the differences btw the images of PD & NPD are owed to?
Contact vs non-contract dermoscopy
Schematic representation of optical properties of light without the use of dermoscopy


Schematic representation of optical proper- ties of light during the use of contact NPD with a liquid interface


Relative differences btw NPD & PD

Schematic representation of optical properties of light during the use of polarized dermoscopy


Colors in dermoscopy depend on?
Location of melanin in the skin
Melanin is the main chromophore in pigmented skin lesions
Important determinants of the lesion color
- Melanin, the main chromophore in pigmented skin lesions (black to blue colors)
- Hemoglobin, in RBCs (pink to red colors)
- Collagen fibers in the dermis ( white color)
If melanin is located in the stratum corneum or immediately beneath it, the lesion would appear ___ on dermoscopy
Black




























