Dermatoscopy: an asset in the clinical assessment of pigmented skin lesions

Dermatoscopy is a non-invasive technique for the clinical diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions: a simple contact skin-surface microscope with a 10-fold magnification is used; the application of oil makes the horny layer translucent, as a result of which several additional criteria become available for the diagnosis of pigmented lesions. The evaluation is based on an algorithm involving asymmetry, border, colour and differential structure; another type of evaluation involves pattern analysis (global assessment, detailed assessment, assessment of the pigment network). The evaluation of these criteria requires formal training, after which the diagnostic skills of dermatologists have been found to increase; in non-dermatologists these skills decreased. Dermatoscopy has become an indispensible aid in clinical dermatology.