Panoramic dermatoscopic imaging in hair conditions: Scanning trichoscopy

Abstract

Dear Editor,Dermatoscopy is an indispensable diagnostic tool in daily derma-tology practice. In large areas, however, it is often not possible to obtain a dermatoscopic image covering the entire area in a single frame. In this case, the dermatoscopic evaluation is usually based on the analyses of multiple separate images. Dellotare et al proposed a method called “wide area digital dermatoscopy" to solve this techni-cal problem. This method is needed a Photoshop software to merge multiple dermatoscopic images obtained using a handheld derma-toscope.1 Recently, Abraham et al proposed a more practical and time-saving method called “panoramic trichoscopy” to overcome this limitation in hair conditions involving large areas. To obtain a panoramic image, a handheld dermatoscope is attached to a smart-phone and “panorama mode” of the mobile camera application is se-lected. The dermatoscope plate is then moved continuously over the area concerned...