Inflammatory skin conditions, including plaque psoriasis (PP), dermatitis, lichen planus (LP), and pityriasis rosea (PR), each exhibit a characteristic dermoscopic pattern, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Aimilios Lallas, M.D., of the Hospital of Skin and Venereal Diseases in Thessaloniki, Greece, and colleagues prospectively enrolled 83 patients with PP and 86 patients with dermatitis, LP, or PR. The single most recently developed lesion was dermoscopically and histopathologically examined. Variables included vascular morphology, vascular arrangement, background color, scale color, scale distribution, and presence of Wickham striae.
The researchers found that dotted vessels in a regular arrangement over a light red background and white scales were highly predictive of the diagnosis of PP. Dermatitis more frequently showed yellow scales and dotted vessels in a patchy arrangement. PR was characterized by a yellowish background, dotted vessels, and peripheral scales. Wickham striae were exclusively seen in LP.
"PP, LP, PR, and dermatitis show specific dermoscopic patterns that may aid their clinical diagnosis," the authors write.
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For more information on dermoscopy, read Dr. Amanda Pickert's column "Resident Corner: Basic Dermoscopy for the Resident."
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