BACKGROUNDDermoscope is non-invasive diagnostic tool, which allows rapid and magnified in-vivo observation of the skin and helps in visualization of morphologic features invisible to naked eye. Dermoscopy is useful in evaluating pigmented lesions, but it can also be used in evaluating the inflammatory skin disorders but little is currently known about their dermoscopic features. Dermoscopy of Psoriasis shows red globules, red lines, red dots, glomeruli-like vessels and light red background. Dermoscopy of Lichen planus shows Wickham's striae, central yellow brown area, grey blue dots, comedo-like opening, corn pearls. AIMSTo determine and compare dermoscopic patterns of Psoriasis and Lichen Planus and correlate the dermatoscopic images with histopathology of Psoriasis and Lichen planus in clinically difficult cases and compare the findings seen in our study with previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional comparative study, during course of 2 years, total of 80 cases in which 40 patients each of Psoriasis and Lichen planus were included. Digital dermoscopic images of lesions were obtained with Hanse microscope, after lesions were covered with olive oil. All dermoscopic findings of both psoriasis and lichen planus were observed, captured and data was analysed statistically. In clinically difficult and atypical cases, histopathology was done and correlated with dermoscopy. STATISTICAL ANALYSISFor all the statistical analysis SPSS statistical software, version 17.0 for windows (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) was used. ChiSquare (χ 2 ) test was done for statistical significance. In all instances, a "p" value of 0.05 was considered significant. Charts were prepared with Microsoft Excel 2010 version. RESULTSOn dermoscopy there is statistical significance at 5% confidence interval of red globules (p=0.001, χ 2 =37.143), Wickham's striae (p=0.001, χ 2 =34.286), grey blue dots (p=0.000, χ 2 =13.067) and glomeruli like vessels (p=0.003, χ 2 =8.538) in comparison between psoriasis and lichen planus. Dermoscopic findings of psoriasis were predominantly vascular while those of lichen planus were predominantly non-vascular. CONCLUSIONClinical use of dermoscopy in inflammatory dermatosis improves diagnostic ability and improves fundamental aspects of daily practice such as improvement of morphologic knowledge for visual tele-dermatology and in addition plays a psychological placebo effect on patients suffering from common inflammatory dermatosis.

Prozone phenomenon is defined as a false-negative response resulting from higher antibody titer which interferes with formation of antigen–antibody lattice, necessary to visualize a positive flocculation test. The prozone effect can be observed in syphilis testing with cases of very high antibody titers, such as secondary syphilis, or with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection. We report two cases of prozone phenomenon in secondary syphilis with HIV co-infection who initially tested nonreactive for rapid plasma reagin test but tested positive with further higher dilution.

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