Benefits of polarized versus nonpolarized dermoscopy

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a widely diffuse tool that allows a better noninvasive diagnosis of pigmented and nonpigmented skin lesions, visualizing magnified images of subsurface structures. The light source can be nonpolarized or polarized, the latter being a more recent technique acquisition. Papers from the last decade focused on the appreciable differences between the two techniques. In general, by polarized dermoscopy the visualization of deeper and vascular structures is more attainable, but the main issue is the quality of the image, influencing both diagnostic accuracy and confidence level, regardless of the lighting technique. A terminology based on polarized dermoscopy is still missing, requiring further consensus-based studies.