Dermatoscopy

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Dermatoscopy (also known as epiluminescence microscopy) is the examination of cutaneous lesions with a dermatoscope, a magnifier with a light and a liquid medium between the instrument and the skin, thus illuminating the lesion without reflected light.

Skin surface microscopy started in 1663 by Kolhaus and was improved with the addition of immersion oil in 1878 by Abbe. The German dermatologist, Johann Saphier, added a built-in light source to the instrument. Goldman was the first dermatologist to coin the term "dermascopy" and to use the dermatoscope to evaluate pigmented cutaneous lesions.

This instrument is helpful to dermatologists in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions, especially of aid in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma.