Dermoscopic Evaluation of Pigmentary Disorders: A Hospital Based Observational Study

Background: With regard to background: pigmentary disorders are one of the most common dermatological diseases and can often cause marked cosmetic and psychological problems, particularly in darker complexion skin people. Dermoscopy has become a handy non-invasive diagnostic tool for examining the subsurface pigment pattern and has enhanced diagnostic accuracy. The objective is to assess dermoscopic characteristics of pigmentary disorders and their clinical relevance in Tertiary care centre patients.Methods: This was a descriptive study that included 100 patients with pigmentary disorders and assessed their dermoscopic features and clinical relevance in the patients attending the tertiary care centre. Material and Methods: An observational study was done for 1 year period in a tertiary care hospital, dermatology department. There were 100 patients with clinically diagnosed pigmentary disorders included. Demographic and Clinical data were registered in detail. A dermoscope (handheld polarized camera attached to a smartphone/digital camera) was used for dermoscopic evaluation. The parameters of dermoscopy of pigment network, perifollicular changes, vascular structures and scaling, as well as the type of pigment distribution were evaluated and correlated with the clinical diagnosis. Results: Most of the patients were in the age group 31–40 (30%) and predominately females (58%). The most prevalent pigmentary disorders were melasma (32%), vitiligo (24%) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (18%). The most common site was the face (48%). The most common dermoscopic pattern was reticular pigment network (62%), followed by brown globules/dots (44%) and perifollicular pigmentation (38%). In lichen planuspigmentosus, blue-gray granules were characteristically observed and in vitiligo, white structurelessdepigmented areas were mainly observed. The dermatoscopic findings helped to differentiate the clinically similar pigmentary disorders and also helped to minimize diagnostic confusions. Conclusion: Dermoscopy is a quick, reliable and non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of pigmentary disorders. It helps with the precise diagnosis by recognizing characteristic dermoscopic patterns and aids in distinguishing between similar diseases so as to avoid invasive procedures and better manage the patient. To read this article, you must be a member of the American Association of Dermatologists. This article is available to members of the AAD only.

Keywords: Dermoscopy, Pigmentary Disorders, Pigmented Skin Lesions, Dermoscopic Patterns, Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation, Skin Pigmentation Disorders.