Dermatoscopy – an Investigative Method and Valuable Tool -

Introduction: dermatoscopy is a non-invasive technique which allows us to explore and evaluate the structures of the epidermis, the dermo-epidermal junction and the papillary dermal layer in vivo. Cognition of the specific diagnostic patterns lead to a right clue and proper diagnosis suggestion. Dermatoscopy depends on the timely correct recognizing of dermatoscopic findings and features and is therefore terminated and limited by time input and by experience of a physician. Dermatoscopy gained a great role in general dermatology with its importance in early diagnostics of a malignant melanoma and has become a valuable tool for the diagnosis of a various infectious and inflammatory diseases, nail pigmentations, hair abnormalities and scalp disorders including ectoparasitic infestations, cutaneous/ mucosal infections, psoriasis. Patients and methods: investigations are provided by dermatoscopy equipment – Dermatoscope MoleMax II. Our study included 791 patients (490 women and 301 men), in which we recorded a total of 1670 lesions in the period from May 9, to May 13, 2011. Results: from the total number of lesions analyzed there were 944 melanocytic and 726 nonmelanocytic lesions. Within melanocytic lesions, histopathology confirmed 9 malignant melanomas. From nonmelanocytic lesions present were: seborrheic keratosis 307, actinic keratoses (precancerosis) 118, hemangiomas 77 and bacocelular skin cancer BCC 68. Discussion: dermatoscopy is a method of epiluminiscent microscopy that in the analysis of tumor skin changes has completely replaced the standard magnifying glass. Credibility of dermatoscopy is going from 70-90% and the dermatoscopy became an indispensable diagnostic tool in the analysis of tumor changes on the skin. Conclusion: the dermatoscopy is valuable tool in diagnostics of variety of skin disorders in the field of general dermatology.