Improvement of diagnostic accuracy in the clinical diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions by epiluminescence microscopy

Epiluminescence microscopy is a non-invasive technique used in the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions. In our study we compared the diagnostic accuracy and index of suspicion of clinical diagnosis with those obtained with this technique. The results particularly showed a 20% improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of melanomas; this technique also facilitates the differentiation between melanocytic and non-melanocytic pigmented lesions. In conclusion, the use of epiluminescence microscopy reduces the number of removals of benign lesions and permits the follow-up of those lesions not subjected to surgical therapy.