A study of dermoscopy for pigmentary lesions among children with pigmentary disorders

Abstract

Disorders of melanin pigmentation can be divided on morphological grounds into two types- hypomelanosis and hypermelanosis. Hypomelanosis is characterized by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, which therefore appears white or lighter than the normal colour. In hypermelanosis, there is an increased amount of melanin in the skin. When this excess is confined to the epidermis, the skin appears browner than normal, and when present in the dermis, a slate-grey or blue appearance is produced. Hypermelanosis and hypomelanosis can be generalized and diffuse, or may be localized and circumscribed. Amelanosis is the term applied when there is a total lack of melanin in the skin. A detailed clinical history was elicited with regard to patients’ age, gender, address, age of onset of disorder, type (hypo-/hyper pigmented), site and size of pigmented lesions, familial involvement, associated skin and systemic conditions and the details were recorded on a proforma. A dermoscope is a non-invasive, diagnostic tool which visualizes subtle clinical patterns of skin lesions and subsurface skin structures not normally visible to the unaided eye. Basically, a dermoscope is functionally similar to a magnifying lens but with the added features of an inbuilt illuminating system with the ability to assess structures as deep as in the reticular dermis, and the ability to record images.