Dermoscopy and teledermoscopy
- jumping into the future -

What is dermoscopy

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that has opened a new morphologic dimension of pigmented skin lesions allowing to increase diagnostic accuracy for melanoma. However, it has proven that dermoscopy may improve diagnostic performance only when clinicians are well trained in recognizing the various diagnostic features that become visible by the dermoscopic examination.

Dermoscopy refers to the examination of the skin using skin surface microscopy, and is also called 'dermatoscopy', 'epiluminoscopy' and 'epiluminescent microscopy'. Dermoscopy is mainly used to evaluate pigmented skin lesions. In experienced hands it can make it easier to diagnose melanoma.

Dermoscopy requires a high quality magnifying lens and a powerful lighting system. This allows examination of skin structures and patterns. There are several different lightweight, battery-powered hand-held devices. Convenient attachments allow video or still photography.

Skin examination using a dematoscop	Photodermoscopy magnify the picture 60x and enable teledermoscopy (using a DermLite Foto)

Computer software can be used to archive the images and allow expert diagnosis and reporting (mole mapping). Smart programs aid in diagnosis by comparing the new image with stored cases with typical features of benign and malignant pigmented skin lesions.

Ink-spotnaevus	Benign mole	Blue naevus