Dermoscopy in viral infections: An observational study

Abstract

Background: Viral infections can be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Atypical presentation or sometimes presenting with other dermatological condition can be difficult for diagnosis. Dermoscopy provide rapid diagnostic aid for diagnosis. Aim: To evaluate dermoscopic patterns in viral infections. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in dermatology department in tertiary hospital. Ethical clearance and informed consent was obtained. Patients with viral infection were subjected to dermoscopy. DermLite4 with 10x magnification, attached to a smartphone was employed for dermoscopy. Results: 106 patients were enrolled. Dermoscopy of Pityriasis rosea (n=10, 9.43%) showed brown dots and red dots in patients (100%). Light pink back ground in 80% patients. Molluscum (n=9, 8.49%) showed whitish structure in poly lobulated pattern (40%). In chicken pox (n=08. 7.54%), erythematous background (100%) and brown dots (100%). All the warts (n=48, 45.28%) showed red or blackish red dots (100%). Grouped red dots with white halo, finger-like projection with hairpin vessel surrounding white halo, knob like structure with hairpin like vessels were observed in common, filiform, genital warts respectively. Black dots in plantar and periungual warts. In herpes labialis (n=10, 9.43%) 3 zones, centre brown pigmentation, white colour and peripheral erythema. Cloudy white polyglobular structure with central brown dots in Herpes Zoster (n=8, 7.43%). Yellowish/brown pigmentation, brown dots, brown globules and crusting in Hand Foot Mouth Disease (n=5, 4.71%). Bluish globules and whitish area in Orf nodule (n=1, 0.94%). Conclusion: Dermoscopy is gaining importance in the realm of dermatology. In this study, dermoscopic patterns in viral infections were correlated clinically.