DIGITAL EPILUMINESCENCE MICROSCOPY IN THE EVALUATION OF PIGMENTED LESIONS - A BRIEF REVIEW

Epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) is the application of oil followed by compression by a transparent material and examination under tangentia l illumination with magnification. This technique reduces the reflecte d light from the irregular surface of the stratum corneum and makes th e epidermis more transparent so that structures at the dermal epiderma l junction and upper dermis may be visualized. Digital ELM is the capt ure of ELM images by a television camera attached to a computer. The E LM approach results in improved diagnostic accuracy for pigmented lesi ons in the order of 20%. Advantages of digital ELM over standard ELM a re the ability to capture images in an almost endless array of colors and hues, permanence of recording without degradation over time, the a bility to transmit information electronically over long distances, and the ability to enhance certain features through electronic manipulati on. Among the potential applications of digital ELM are assistance in establishing the diagnosis of melanoma during screening, maintenance a nd retrieval of images in patients who are being followed clinically w ith pigmented lesions, and better understanding of clinical histopatho logic correlations.