How to quickly detect skin abnormalities

Digital dermoscopy, the best technique to check nevi

Dermatoscopy or epiluminescence microscopy is a diagnostic imaging technique that allows dermatology specialists to observe melanocytic lesions and other skin tumors non-invasively and much more accurately than other dermatological examinations.

The new computerized diagnostic systems make it possible to obtain complete body maps in order to detect the lesions, localize them and electronically archive the images of the lesions with digital epiluminescence microscopy.

With this procedure the dermatologist can perform much more precise serial controls of the patient and thus detect minimal changes suspected of becoming malignant, even when the patient has a large number of lesions.

When you need a digital dermoscopy

Any person with pigmented lesions on the skin can undergo this examination, although digital follow-up is especially indicated in cases of patients at high risk of developing melanoma.

The main risk factors for the development of melanoma are:

  • Family and personal history of melanoma.
  • Total number of nevi greater than 50.
  • Presence of atypical nevi.

This technique is also very effective for the diagnosis of facial lesions, as well as for detecting nail pigmentations, i.e. occurring on the nails, and for the diagnosis of congenital nevi.

Dermoscopy in patients at risk of melanoma

Dermatology specialists advise high-risk patients to undergo epiluminescence every 6 months. The scanning procedure lasts at least 30 minutes for total body imaging and digital dermoscopy.

After the analysis of the images obtained during the examination, a report is issued stating the existence or not of risk lesions, their dermoscopy image, their location on the body map and the indication of whether or not surgical excision is necessary for the removal of the lesion.

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Digital body map tracking

This diagnostic technique is especially useful for the follow-up of patients with a high number of pigmented lesions. It consists of recording images of digital maps of the patient’s skin surface in order to detect the appearance of new pigmented lesions during check-ups or to detect changes in any element.

What are the benefits?

The main advantage of digital dermoscopy is that it reduces the number of unnecessary biopsies. In many cases patients with a large number of nevi undergo many surgical interventions for the removal of lesions suspicious for malignancy. This more precise diagnostic technique avoids unnecessary excisions.

Confocal microscopy to avoid biopsy

Confocal microscopy and high-resolution digital dermoscopy represent a new era in the non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer.

It is a non-invasive technique that makes it possible to obtain images of skin lesions with a cellular resolution similar to that of a biopsy, but completely painless and without any risk to the patient, since it does not require the removal of tissue.

Confocal microscopy is a breakthrough in the non-invasive investigation and diagnosis of skin tumors, as well as in the monitoring of skin treatments.

The combination of confocal microscopy and high resolution dermoscopy allows the pre-surgical diagnosis of melanoma, cutaneous carcinoma and other skin tumors, while avoiding biopsy, or in case it is necessary to select the best point to obtain the sample.

This technique allows to assess the patient’s evaluation before and after treatment with photodynamic therapy or laser treatment.

The system is especially useful in the immediate diagnosis of lesions on the face and other difficult areas, or in cases of lesions in children.