What is epiluminescence?
Epiluminescence, synonymous with dermatoscopy, is an innovative diagnostic technique, designed to preventively recognize melanoma and all melanocytic skin lesions, whether pigmented or not. Epiluminescence is an absolutely non-invasive method that is performed in vivo: the analysis of the lesions of the skin must be carried out through the optical dermatoscope, an instrument thanks to which the morphological structure of the affection is not only analyzed, but also the internal structures that constitute it are identified.
Scope
Effectiveness
Before proceeding with the diagnostic analysis, it is advisable to apply a contrast liquid to make the analysis possible: the contrast medium is absolutely essential in epiluminescence, to cancel the reflected rays that would prevent a correct diagnosis.
The statistics reveal significant data for the recognition of some forms of melanoma: it seems that the epiluminescence technique increases the early diagnosis of malignant diseases in 92% of cases (against 70% of malignant findings analyzed with the naked eye).
Applications
Epiluminescence finds application in the recognition of: basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease (pre-malignant plaque or papule that occurs in the areas most exposed to the sun), seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, dermatofibroma and other non-melanocytic tumor forms. Dermatoscopy is also useful for diagnosing the scabies mite.
To better understand the experimental mechanism on which epiluminescence is based, this technique could be compared to ultrasound: both perform a screening of skin disease but, while ultrasound uses ultrasound at specific "wave frequencies," epiluminescence exploits the light rays of a source (light).
Interpretation of results
Dermatoscopy is useful not only for identifying dermatological affections: just like the double face of the coin, the "expert" must be able to evaluate all the aspects that derive from an "accurate analysis. In fact, if the outcome determined by the" epiluminescence is negative means that a "possible surgical removal proves useless, since the anamnesis that derives from it is undoubted and established. Until a few years ago, when the epiluminescence techniques had not yet been completely perfected, the number of" interventions unnecessary surgery was very high: here the researchers, in our days, have refined the diagnostic technique in an indisputable way.
Epiluminescence was applied for the first time in the 1950s by Doctor Leon Goldman, the dermatologist who initiated the research and study of this particular dermatoscopic technique.
Diagnostic security
The high diagnostic accuracy of epiluminescence, its practicality, its non-invasiveness, associated with the practicality of use and the cheapness of the diagnostic method, are all characteristics that have made it possible to give dermatoscopy the primacy among the recognition techniques. non-invasive of dermatological diseases of various entities.
Epiluminescence analysis of skin disease is defined computerized morphematic analysis: represents another qualitative leap of modern research, thanks to which it is possible to study and evaluate pseudo-malignant melanoma in all its facets, in a clear and ascertained way.
The diagnostic method is so accurate that it is also able to predict any malignant implications of the neoplasm: in fact, based on the distribution of the melanic pigment and the chromatic analysis, the computerized morphological study is able to verify the progress of the lesions over time , both by evaluating the past ones, and by predicting the future risk of the disease itself, making use of samples placed in the data archive.
Epiluminescence, however, is paving the way for an "evolution of diagnostic techniques: the goal is to perfect the method, in such a way as to make it objective, no longer subject to the" skill and knowledge of the "operator, establishing criteria standard morphological, to apply them in any skin condition.
Current studies and research on epiluminescence allow us to draw up, in the dermatological field, an ever safer and more accurate semiotic to diagnose all lesions of dermatological interest.
Key points
To fix the concepts ...
Epiluminescence or dermatoscopy: innovative diagnostic technique designed to preventively recognize melanoma and all melanocytic skin lesions, pigmented or not.
Tools used
Optical dermatoscope: analyzes the morphological structure of the affection, also identifies the internal structures, promotes the recognition of any malignant forms. The dermatoscope analyzes the skin lesion supported by an illuminated lens that irradiates the part with an incident ray.
What affections does it identify
Useful for all skin neoformations localized between the epidermis and the dermis.
It recognizes basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, dermatofibrona and other non-melanocytic cancers. Recently, dermoscopy is also useful in diagnosing the scabies mite.
Benefits
Painless diagnostic technique that early identifies any malignant skin neoplasms. It allows to reduce / avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.
In-depth analysis
Computerized morphematic analysis thanks to which it is possible to study and evaluate pseudo-malignant melanoma in all its facets, in a clear and ascertained way.
Future research and studies on epiluminescence
Objective: to perfect the epiluminescence technique even more precisely, in order to establish standardized morphological criteria, without relying “only” on the subjective opinion of the expert.
