title: Dermoscopy: to cross-polarize, or not to cross-polarize, that is the question.
abstract: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique that visualizes the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, identifying features that are not evident to the naked eye, making it a useful diagnostic technique in differentiating between benign and malignant skin lesions. There are two methods of dermoscopy, non-polarized and cross-polarized; both are perceived to give visual differences in lesion characteristics. The aim of this literature review is to identify the advantages and limitations between non-polarized, cross-polarized and also contact and non-contact techniques. This research confirms that there are similarities, as well as differences, in the visualization of lesions between non-polarized and cross-polarized dermoscopy. Non-polarized dermoscopy reveals superficial features and polarized dermoscopy shows deeper structures, concluding that the use of both methods can provide complementary information.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University, Clinical Photography, School of Healthcare Sciences , Ty Dewi Sant, Heath Park Campus, Cardiff, CF14 4XN United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lake
authors.forename: Bolette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000295:instrumentation; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation