title: Dermatoscopy: usefulness in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous pigmentary lesions.
abstract: Dermatoscopy has been reported to give valid information in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous pigmentary lesions. Using a dermatoscopy Delta 10 Heine optotechnique, we evaluated 220 pigmented lesions during a health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma and compared clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis. Histologic diagnosis was carried out after removal of the lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall agreement were evaluated. In our experience clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis gave similar results; sensitivity and specificity were slightly better for dermatoscopy than for clinical diagnosis. The agreement between clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis was better in histologically negative lesions. Dermatoscopy is useful in the diagnosis of pigmentary lesions, but clinical diagnosis by experienced dermatological staff, is unreplaceable, especially during a health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cristofolini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zumiani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cristofolini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Micciolo
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008853:Microscopy; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*