Easier visualization August 26 2003

Dr. Guiseppe Argenziano (Naples, Italy): "DermLite is a very feasible tool! It allows fast and precise dermoscopic observation of pigmented skin lesions, since no oil is required for visualizing dermoscopic features in pigmented skin lesions. Also, it is the smallest hand-held dermatoscope I have ever used!

During my daily routine I have been using the DermLite for scoring various melanocytic lesions with the 7-point checklist. This is a simplified scoring method for the dermoscopic diagnosis of melanoma.

Using the 7-point checklist one has to score the presence of 7 dermoscopic criteria, namely, atypical network, blue-white veil, atypical vascular pattern (so-called major criteria), and irregular streaks, irregular dots/globules, irregular pigmentation, and regression structures (blue, pepper-like granules and/or white, scar-like areas; so-called minor criteria).

When at least one major and one minor criteria (or 3 minor criteria) are present, the diagnosis of melanoma may be suspected and the lesion has to be removed.

By using DermLite all dermoscopic criteria for the 7-point checklist can be easily recognized. Interestingly enough, vascular patterns can be seen more easily with DermLite compared with other hand-held dermatoscopes, since the vessels are not missed because of the glass-slide compression." 

At the time of this review, Dr. Guiseppe Argenziano was at the Clinica Dermatologica at the Federico II University of Naples, Italy. He has published several studies about the subject as well as the books "Epiluminescence Microscopy. A new approach to in vivo detection of Sarcoptes scabiei" and "Epiluminescence microscopy: criteria of cutaneous melanoma progression".

He is well-known for his 7-point checklist for the diagnosis of doubtful melanocytic skin lesions.