Brazilian Consensus on Photoprotection

Brazil is a country of continental dimensions with a large heterogeneity of climates and massive mixing of the population. Almost the entire national territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Earth axial tilt to the south certainly makes Brazil one of the countries of the world with greater extent of land in proximity to the sun. The Brazilian coastline, where most of its population lives, is more than 8,500 km long. Due to geographic characteristics and cultural trends, Brazilians are among the peoples with the highest annual exposure to the sun. Epidemiological data show a continuing increase in the incidence of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Photoprotection can be understood as a set of measures aimed at reducing sun exposure and at preventing the development of acute and chronic actinic damage. Due to the peculiarities of Brazilian territory and culture, it would not be advisable to replicate the concepts of photoprotection from other developed countries, places with completely different climates and populations. Thus the Brazilian Society of Dermatology has developed the Brazilian Consensus on Photoprotection, the first official document on photoprotection developed in Brazil for Brazilians, with recommendations on matters involving photoprotection

Predominant dermoscopic patterns observed among nevi.

BACKGROUND: It has been clinically observed that patients' "normal" moles resemble each other. Whether this concept is applicable to dermoscopic practice has not been sufficiently studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether physicians evaluating dermoscopic images would identify common dermoscopic profiles of nevi within individual patients. METHODS: Images of 205 nevi belonging to 18 patients were evaluated by 2 dermatologists for dermoscopic global pattern, color, and specific structures. We defined dermoscopic patterns as dominant if seen in >or= 40% of the patient's nevi; a minor pattern was defined as 20 to 39%. RESULTS: A dominant pattern was seen in 15 patients (83%). In 13 (72%) of the patients, >or= 80% of the nevi were classified into one, two, or three global patterns. The reticular global pattern was the most prevalent dominant pattern, seen in 9 patients (50%); the homogeneous pattern was the most prevalent minor pattern, seen in 16 patients (89%). CONCLUSION: Individuals tend to have one to three predominant dermoscopic nevus global patterns

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy imaging of melanocytic skin lesions: consensus terminology glossary and illustrative images

BACKGROUND: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been used for over 10 years for in vivo skin imaging. However, to date no standard RCM terminology has been published. OBJECTIVE: To establish a glossary of terms for RCM evaluation of melanocytic lesions. METHODS: Prominent RCM researchers were presented with RCM images of melanocytic lesions. Reviewers evaluated RCM images for image quality, lesion architecture, and cellular details. Reviewers could utilize published descriptors or contribute unpublished terminology to describe lesion attributes. An online meeting was conducted to reach consensus that integrates and defines existing and new RCM descriptive terms. RESULTS: We present a glossary with descriptors of image quality, normal skin morphology, lesion architecture, and cellular details for RCM evaluation of melanocytic lesions. LIMITATIONS: Usefulness of the glossary in RCM diagnosis of melanocytic lesions needs to be assessed. CONCLUSION: Standardization of terminology is important toward implementation of RCM in the clinical setting

Dermoscopy of Nail Psoriasis

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive and inexpensive method of magnifying in vivo examination of skin and nails allowing for immediate visualization of specific characteristics that could otherwise be overlooked by the naked eye. Dermoscopy, also known as dermatoscopy, surface microscopy, or epiluminescence microscopy, can evaluate the various structures of nails, such as the nail matrix, nail plate, nail bed, hyponychium, proximal nail fold, and distal edge of the nail plate. Dermoscopy of the nails has been also named onychoscopy. Nail psoriasis has a significant disease burden that is difficult to treat and can cause serious deformities which can lead to chronic dystrophy. Dermoscopy can be valuable in providing better detection of common abnormalities associated with particular diseases, directing management, and assessing response to treatment

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy imaging of melanocytic skin lesions: consensus terminology glossary and illustrative images.

BACKGROUND: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been used for over 10 years for in vivo skin imaging. However, to date no standard RCM terminology has been published. OBJECTIVE: To establish a glossary of terms for RCM evaluation of melanocytic lesions. METHODS: Prominent RCM researchers were presented with RCM images of melanocytic lesions. Reviewers evaluated RCM images for image quality, lesion architecture, and cellular details. Reviewers could utilize published descriptors or contribute unpublished terminology to describe lesion attributes. An online meeting was conducted to reach consensus that integrates and defines existing and new RCM descriptive terms. RESULTS: We present a glossary with descriptors of image quality, normal skin morphology, lesion architecture, and cellular details for RCM evaluation of melanocytic lesions. LIMITATIONS: Usefulness of the glossary in RCM diagnosis of melanocytic lesions needs to be assessed. CONCLUSION: Standardization of terminology is important toward implementation of RCM in the clinical setting