Multiplex Assays in Allergy Diagnosis: Allergy Explorer 2 versus ImmunoCAP ISAC E112i.

ImmunoCAP ISAC E112i (ISAC) and Allergy Explorer 2 (ALEX) detect specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity. Both multiplex assays contain molecular allergens and ALEX additionally includes allergen extracts and inhibitors that block the binding of IgE to cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). This study aimed to compare the performance of ISAC and ALEX by determining the IgE reactivity against allergen extracts and/or allergen components and by using qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative analyses of all comparable allergen components in sera from 216 participants recruited in South Tyrol/Italy.

Equivocal Longitudinal Melanonychia in a 3-Year-Old Caucasian Girl: Rapid Evolution and Fading during Digital Dermoscopy Follow-Up.

Introduction: Nail matrix nevi (NMN) in pediatric patients manifest as longitudinal melanonychia (LM) and can share clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological characteristics with subungual melanoma. Equivocal findings in childhood LM may reflect dynamic processes during the natural life cycle of NMN in children.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a heavily pigmented LM with equivocal clinical and dermoscopic findings in a 3-year-old Caucasian girl, which exhibited signs of evolution, maturation, and almost complete involution within a short time period during digital follow-up, attributed to the natural course of NMN.

Diagnostic impact of reflectance confocal microscopy as a second-level examination for facial skin lesions.

Background And Objective: Benign and malignant facial skin lesions may be difficult to differentiate clinically and with dermoscopy. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential utility of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) as a second-level examination for facial skin neoplasms.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective and blinded evaluation of 160 consecutive facial lesions was carried out in two separate steps.

Confocal Microscopy in Skin Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) enables imaging of skin lesions at cellular level resolution at the bedside (in vivo) or in freshly excised tissue (ex vivo). This article provides an overview of strengths and limitations of non-invasive RCM in skin cancer diagnosis.

Recent Findings: RCM features of common melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin neoplasms such as melanoma, actinic keratosis/squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and nevi have been well defined and show good correlation with dermoscopic and histopathologic findings.

Noninvasive RCM for Differentiation of Melanotic Macules From Melanocytic Lesions-Blinded Evaluation of a Series of 42 Pigmented Macules.

Background: Differentiation of melanotic macules from melanocytic lesions, most importantly of melanoma, is a common problem on clinical-dermoscopic examination.

Objective: To assess the value of noninvasive reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the differential diagnosis of melanotic macules and melanocytic lesions.

Patients And Methods: Reflectance confocal microscopy images of 42 pigmented macules on mucocutaneous junctions of genitalia and lips, including 31 melanotic macules, 6 nevi, and 5 melanomas, were retrospectively and independently assessed in a blinded manner by one expert observer and 2 less experienced observers together.

The value of reflectance confocal microscopy in diagnosis of flat pigmented facial lesions: a prospective study.

Background: Flat pigmented facial lesions are difficult to diagnose even with dermatoscopy. It is controversial how additional information obtained by in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) impacts the diagnosis and management.

Objective: To examine what in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of flat pigmented facial lesions adds to clinical examination using dermatoscopy including digital dermatoscopic monitoring.

UV-induced alterations of the skin evaluated over time by reflectance confocal microscopy.

Background: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces various alterations of the skin and plays a decisive part regarding the development of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. For a closer examination of these phenomena in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is one of the most eligible options as it represents a diagnostic tool that allows a non-invasive examination of the skin, showing microanatomical structures and individual cells.

Objectives: The aim of this study was using RCM to observe alterations of the skin induced by UVR and to describe the development of these changes.

Large congenital nevus spilus-improved follow-up through the use of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy.

Background: Nevus spilus (NS) is a potential precursor of melanoma; the vast majority of cases reported in the literature were histologically classified as superficial spreading melanoma.

Objective: To demonstrate the diagnostic value of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in this subtype of congenital nevi.

Methods: We report a case of a large congenital NS with equivocal clinical and dermoscopic findings in which RCM was applied for diagnosis and follow-up.

Reflectance confocal microscopy: a useful and non-invasive tool in the in vivo differentiation of benign pigmented skin lesions from malignant melanoma. Report of a case.

The diagnosis of seborrheic keratoses (SK) undergoing regression can be challenging clinically and dermoscopically. We report a case of a SK with a history of change and equivocal dermoscopic features, thereby showing confocal features suggestive of solar lentigo/early SK. The present case emphasizes the potential value of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the differentiation of malignant from benign pigmented skin lesions.

Seborrheic keratosis: reflectance confocal microscopy features and correlation with dermoscopy.

Background: Differentiation between seborrheic keratosis (SK) and skin cancers may be difficult. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) enables noninvasive assessment of skin neoplasms at cellular-level resolution.

Objective: We sought to describe RCM features of SK and to correlate these RCM findings with dermoscopic structures.

Differentiation between balanitis and carcinoma in situ using reflectance confocal microscopy.

Importance: Zoon plasma cell balanitis is a benign inflammatory disease of genital skin. It may be difficult to clinically distinguish between balanitis and carcinoma in situ (CIS); thus, a biopsy may be needed to exclude malignant disease. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an in vivo imaging method to get morphologic information about architecture and single cells in the skin.

New diagnostics for melanoma detection: from artificial intelligence to RNA microarrays.

Early detection of melanoma remains crucial to ensuring a favorable prognosis. Dermoscopy and total body photography are well-established noninvasive aids that increase the diagnostic accuracy of dermatologists in their daily routine, beyond that of a naked-eye examination. New noninvasive diagnostic techniques, such as reflectance confocal microscopy, multispectral digital imaging and RNA microarrays, are currently being investigated to determine their utility for melanoma detection.

Agreement of dermatopathologists in the evaluation of clinically difficult melanocytic lesions: how golden is the 'gold standard'?

Background: The 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions is dermatopathology. Although most of the diagnostic criteria are clearly defined, the interpretation of histopathology slides may be subject to interobserver variability.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the variability among dermatopathologists in the interpretation of clinically difficult melanocytic lesions.

Pilot study on the acceptance of mobile teledermatology for the home monitoring of high-need patients with psoriasis.

Background/objectives: The willingness to be educated is one of the highest desires among patients with psoriasis. Therefore, a collaborative model of management would appear to be essential in enhancing patient satisfaction in this challenging condition. The present study aimed at examining the applicability of a mobile teledermatology service in this regard and assessing the association between patient acceptance and perceived health-related quality of life.

Autoimmune bullous diseases in Austria.

Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBD) are chronic disorders associated with significant morbidity and even mortality, for which the 19 dermatologic departments in Austria apply standard modalities to provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment. Most of the affected individuals are initially treated on an inpatient basis, with follow-up done in specialized outpatient clinics or in private practices. A well-established system of care for AIBD patients is thus available nationwide.