In vivo confocal microscopy: The role of comparative approach in patients with multiple atypical nevi.

Background: In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) increases diagnostic accuracy for melanoma diagnosis when combined with dermoscopy. In patients with multiple atypical nevi, a comparative dermoscopic approach improves melanoma recognition and saves unnecessary excision. The performance of a comparative approach combining dermoscopy and RCM has not been yet investigated.

Comparison of two perioperative antibiotic schedules in patients undergoing surgical reconstruction with dermal matrix after excision of skin cancer.

Perioperative antibiotic treatment duration in skin reconstruction with dermal substitutes is not well established. This study compares the incidence of infective complications after two different durations of perioperative antibiotic treatment in patients undergoing surgical reconstruction with skin dermal substitutes (SDS) after excision of skin cancer. Infective complications at the site of SDS were compared in subjects undergoing surgical reconstruction who received either a > 24-hour (extended protocol) or a ≤ 24-hour (short protocol) perioperative antibiotic treatment.

The influence of MC1R on dermal morphological features of photo-exposed skin in women revealed by reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography.

Background: The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene is one of the major determinants of skin pigmentation. It is a highly polymorphic gene and some of its polymorphisms have been related to specific skin phenotypes, increased risk of skin cancers and skin photoageing. Currently, its contribution to changes in dermal features in photo-exposed skin is unknown.

Folliculotropism in pigmented facial macules: Differential diagnosis with reflectance confocal microscopy.

Pigmented facial macules are common on sun damage skin. The diagnosis of early stage lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) is challenging. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been proven to increase diagnostic accuracy of facial lesions.

In vivo assessment of cytological changes by means of reflectance confocal microscopy - demonstration of the effect of topical vitamin E on skin irritation caused by sodium lauryl sulfate.

Background: Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by skin barrier damage. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is commonly used in cosmetics to prevent photo-damage.

Objectives: To show the usefulness of reflectance confocal microscopy in the assessment of irritant skin damage caused by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and of the protective action of vitamin E applied prior to skin irritation.

Distinct melanoma types based on reflectance confocal microscopy.

Distinct melanoma types exist in relation to patient characteristics, tumor morphology, histopathologic aspects and genetic background. A new diagnostic imaging tool, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), allows in vivo analysis of a given lesion with nearly histologic resolution while offering a dynamic view of the tissue in its 'natural' environment. The aim of this study was to analyse cell morphology of consecutive melanomas as they appear on RCM and to correlate morphology with tumor and patient characteristics.

Can noninvasive imaging tools potentially predict the risk of ulceration in invasive melanomas showing blue and black colors?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reflectance microscopy and histopathologic correlates of dermoscopic blue and black color (BB) in a series of melanomas. We searched our database for dermoscopic images of histopathologically diagnosed pigmented nodular melanomas (pNM), superficial spreading melanomas with a nodular component (SSM+Nod), and melanoma metastasis (METs). All cases were assessed for the presence of dermoscopic BB.

Early diagnosis of melanoma: what is the impact of dermoscopy?

There are three possible explanations for the improved melanoma recognition when a clinician uses dermoscopy: first, the presence of early dermoscopy signs that become visible in melanoma much before the appearance of the classical clinical features; second, an increased attitude of clinicians to check more closely clinically banal-looking lesions; and third, an improved attitude of clinicians to monitor their patients. In this review, the light and the dark sides of melanoma screening are briefly discussed, including the need to find better strategies to decrease the number of unnecessary excision of benign lesions on one hand, and to finally decrease melanoma mortality rates on the other.

Laser skin rejuvenation: epidermal changes and collagen remodeling evaluated by in vivo confocal microscopy.

Fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing is an effective treatment of skin aging. Several studies investigated the morphologic changes due to this laser treatment by using skin biopsies or animal model. Recently, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has emerged as a new tool that can "optically" scan the skin in vivo with a nearly histologic resolution and in a totally noninvasive modality.

Proposal for an in vivo histopathologic scoring system for skin aging by means of confocal microscopy.

Background: Many instrumental devices have been testing in analysing and quantifying the skin aging signs. However, histopathology still remains the only methods that allow a microscopic assessment of the skin. However, a skin biopsy is not feasible in aesthetically critical areas such as the face.

Improving triage and management of patients with skin cancer: challenges and considerations for the future.

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in humans, thus representing a major health concern. Because of the increasing attention to skin cancer prevention, there has been a growing workload for dermatology clinics, with patients referred from primary care requiring assessment of suspicious skin tumors. This places a strain on limited specialist resources and can create a paradoxical situation wherein an early diagnosis becomes increasingly difficult for those patients who actually do suffer from skin cancer.