Dermoscopy: to cross-polarize, or not to cross-polarize, that is the question

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique that visualizes the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, identifying features that are not evident to the naked eye, making it a useful diagnostic technique in differentiating between benign and malignant skin lesions. There are two methods of dermoscopy, non-polarized and cross-polarized; both are perceived to give visual differences in lesion characteristics. The aim of this literature review is to identify the advantages and limitations between non-polarized, cross-polarized and also contact and non-contact techniques. This research confirms that there are similarities, as well as differences, in the visualization of lesions between non-polarized and cross-polarized dermoscopy. Non-polarized dermoscopy reveals superficial features and polarized dermoscopy shows deeper structures, concluding that the use of both methods can provide complementary information.

Skin barrier damaging and repairing process: A new application field of dermoscopy

“…The mean values of TEWL on the forearm in different point time of ITA°-Grade 2 group were 6.19 ± 1. 18 .58 ± 11.20, and 44.00 ± 6.45, respectively. Skin surface hydration is expressed in arbitrary units (AU).…”

“…9,[13][14][15][16][17] Nonpolarized dermoscopy reveals superficial features, and polarized dermoscopy shows deeper structures. 18 Previous studies have identified that dermoscopy can be used in assessing the disease severity, assisting the differential diagnosis, improving the diagnostic F I G U R E 3 Changes of dermoscopic images and skin indexes in different skin color subjects. To explore the influence of skin color to skin barrier damage, the subjects were divided into two groups, ITAo-2 group and ITAo-3 group.…”

“…The mean values of TEWL on the forearm in different point time (before, after, day 3, day 7, day 14, day 21) of group A were 6. 18.65 ± 6.56, 43.42 ± 10.56, and 43.51 ± 6. 12, respectively.…”

Novel imaging techniques and their clinical applications in the field of dermatology

“…2001 óta érhetők el polarizált fénnyel működő dermatoszkópok (polarized dermoscope, PD), melyek esetén nincs szükség immerziós közegre. PD használható kontakt és nem-kontakt módon is (5,6). Bár a két módszer so-rán látható képek hasonlóak, mégis előfordulnak különbségek.…”

Evaluation of dermoscopic criteria for seborrheic keratosis on non‐polarized versus polarized dermoscopy

“…The two dermoscopic methods, polarized dermoscopy (PD) and non‐polarized dermoscopy (NPD), use different types of light sources. NPD is performed with the dermoscope being in direct contact with the skin, between which the presence of a liquid interface is required to minimize the air pockets and provide a smooth surface, making the stratum corneum appear more translucent and allowing the observer to visualize structures below the stratum corneum . In contrast, PD does not require a liquid interface; instead, it uses two polarizing filters positioned perpendicular to each other .…”