title: Dermoscopy improves diagnosis of tinea nigra: a study of 50 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tinea nigra is a relatively uncommon dematiaceous fungal infection of the palms and soles, which clinically may mimic a melanocytic lesion. We sought to ascertain how frequently misdiagnosis of this infection occurred and whether the use of dermoscopy helped in its diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty consecutive cases of tinea nigra diagnosed at a dermatopathology laboratory were examined with regard to the clinical diagnosis, use of dermoscopy and the mode of management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 50 cases, 21 (42.0%) were treated by shave or surgical excision. The clinical diagnosis of tinea nigra was made in five cases (10.0%) and suggested along with other diagnoses in a further two cases (4.0%). The dermatologists (n = 9) gave the correct diagnosis in four patients (44.4%), the general practitioners (n = 38) gave the correct diagnosis in one patient (2.6%) and the three surgeons involved did not give the correct diagnosis. When dermoscopy was used, in seven of 13 (53.8%) cases tinea nigra was suggested as a probable diagnosis but when dermoscopy was not used (n = 37) tinea nigra was not clinically diagnosed (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of tinea nigra is significantly improved by dermoscopy, the disease should be considered as a cause of palmar or plantar pigmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piliouras
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Cliff
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosendahl
authors.forename: Petra G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Buettner
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weedon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001203:Ascomycota; D002648:Child; D046169:Dermoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult