Dermoscopy in Monitoring and Predicting Therapeutic Response in General Dermatology (Non-Tumoral Dermatoses): An Up-To-Date Overview

Abstract

Besides the well-known use in supporting the non-invasive diagnosis of non-tumoral dermatoses (general dermatology), dermoscopy has been shown to be a promising tool also in predicting and monitoring therapeutic outcomes of such conditions, with the consequent improvement/optimization of their treatment. In the present paper, we sought to provide an up-to-date overview on the use of dermoscopy in highlighting response predictor factors and evaluating therapeutic results in the field of general dermatology according to the current literature data. Several dermatoses may somehow benefit from such applications, including inflammatory conditions (psoriasis, lichen planus, dermatitis, granulomatous conditions, erythro-telangiectatic rosacea, Zoon balanitis and vulvitis, cutaneous mastocytosis, morphea and extra-genital lichen sclerosus), pigmentary disorders (vitiligo and melasma) and infectious dermatoses (scabies, pediculosis, demodicosis and viral warts).

Clinical and dermatoscopic features of lichen planus balanoposthitis

“…1 Pigmentation is said to occur in longstanding LP lesions, specifically in darker skin phototypes. 5 Pigmentation was absent in our cases, either due to the short duration of the inflammation or because all the patients had fair skin colour.…”

“…The third case was a newborn girl with sensorineural deafness, erythematous hyperkeratotic plaques on intertriginous areas, and parakeratosis on the oral and oesophageal mucosa. 5 Our patient presented with predominance of HS lesions and fresh vegetating nodular lesions on a background of hyperkeratotic erythematous plaques involving multiple intertriginous areas. This predominant location was similar to that of the second and third previously reported cases.…”

Dermoscopy of acquired pigmentary disorders: a comprehensive review

“…3 Brown dots, globules as well as annular and arcuate structures have also been described. 2,4 Other descriptors include reticuloglobular, pseudoreticular, honeycomb, and unpatterned pigmentation. 5 In Agamia et al, the reticuloglobular pattern was most notable in epidermal melasma, while granular or dotted patterns were noted in dermal melasma.…”

“…3 Stemming from the heterogeneity noted in color, some authors propose that the depth of pigment deposition may correspond to the color noted on dermoscopy. 2,4 Uniform, welldefined brown pigmentation may represent epidermal pigmentation, while an irregular, mixed appearance of blue-grey hue with or without grey dots 2 or annular/arcuate structures may represent dermal pigment deposition. 2,4 Some studies also report increased vascularity and visible telangiectasias on dermoscopy (Fig.…”

“…2,4 Uniform, welldefined brown pigmentation may represent epidermal pigmentation, while an irregular, mixed appearance of blue-grey hue with or without grey dots 2 or annular/arcuate structures may represent dermal pigment deposition. 2,4 Some studies also report increased vascularity and visible telangiectasias on dermoscopy (Fig. 1b).…”