title: The role of various immersion liquids at digital dermoscopy in structural analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermoscopy is a useful method that allows dermal and epidermal structures to be easily analysed non-invasively.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, immersion oil, which is widely used in dermoscopy, and ultrasound gel, which is less preferred, are evaluated comparatively in terms of displaying structural parameters and number of air bubbles in the image.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 71 nevomelanocytic or non-melanocytic pigmented lesions were taken up for this study. Structural characteristics of the obtained images were assessed by an experienced observer who scored the images in terms of color, pigment network, globule, vascular structure, number of air bubbles and other pigmentation parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the images obtained through immersion oil or ultrasound gel from all of the lesions, no statistical difference was found between the average values of air bubbles and in the evaluation of structural components (t=1.09, P=0.2). In the identification of pigment network in melanocytic lesions, immersion oil was observed to be more appropriate than ultrasound gel (t=0.01, P=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound gel may be preferred in the assessment of mucosa and nail bed lesions. Ultrasound gel is a good alternative compared to immersion oil in pigmented skin lesions as it is cheap and easily removable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. mitasli@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tasli
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oguz
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D015331:Cohort Studies; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009821:Oils; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D009821:Oils; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions