Dermoscopy and Electron Microscopy

DERMOSCOPY
  • Also known as skin surface microscopy, dermatoscopy, and/or epiluminescence microscopy
  • Pigmentation in lesion due to either melanin or hemoglobin (vasculature)
  • Melanin may be found within melanocytes, keratinocytes, melanophages, or sequestered tumors cells (i.e., pigmented BCC); color depends on depth of melanin in skin
    • Black color: melanin within stratum corneum or upper epidermis
    • Brown color: melanin at dermoepidermal junction
    • Gray or blue color: melanin within dermis
  • Location-specific features
    • Face: follicular openings may create pseudonetwork (follicular openings form hypodense “holes” of network)
    • Volar: nevi on palmoplantar skin with different pattern than other areas of the body; most common is parallel furrow pattern followed by lattice-like and fibrillar pattern