ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Currently, there is no uniform and official terminology in Portuguese for reflectance confocal microscopy analysis, despite the increasing number of Brazilian dermatologists using this new tool. Objective: To present the terminology in Brazilian Portuguese for the description of reflectance confocal microscopy and establish the first Brazilian consensus on terms related to normal skin and cutaneous tumors. Methods: 10 Brazilian specialists from different institutions and states of Brazil were selected to evaluate the best corresponding terms in Portuguese for normal skin, melanocytic and non-melanocytic tumors. The terms used were translated from international consensuses in the English language. The modified Delphi method was used to create the consensus in 3 steps. Results: The terms considered the most appropriate in the Portuguese language to describe the findings of normal skin, melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions in the reflectance confocal microscopy analysis were presented. Study limitations: The limitations of the present study include the number of participants and limited regional representation (only two of the five Brazilian regions were represented). Conclusion: This Brazilian consensus represents an opportunity for dermatologists and physicians specializing in cutaneous oncology to become familiar with reflectance confocal microscopy, propagating the technique in clinical and research environments to stimulate national and international publications on this subject.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no uniform and official terminology in Portuguese for reflectance confocal microscopy analysis, despite the increasing number of Brazilian dermatologists using this new tool. OBJECTIVE: To present the terminology in Brazilian Portuguese for the description of reflectance confocal microscopy and establish the first Brazilian consensus on terms related to normal skin and cutaneous tumors. METHODS: 10 Brazilian specialists from different institutions and states of Brazil were selected to evaluate the best corresponding terms in Portuguese for normal skin, melanocytic and non-melanocytic tumors. The terms used were translated from international consensuses in the English language. The modified Delphi method was used to create the consensus in 3 steps. RESULTS: The terms considered the most appropriate in the Portuguese language to describe the findings of normal skin, melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions in the reflectance confocal microscopy analysis were presented. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The limitations of the present study include the number of participants and limited regional representation (only two of the five Brazilian regions were represented). CONCLUSION: This Brazilian consensus represents an opportunity for dermatologists and physicians specializing in cutaneous oncology to become familiar with reflectance confocal microscopy, propagating the technique in clinical and research environments to stimulate national and international publications on this subject.
Subject(s)
Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Brazil , Consensus , Microscopy, Confocal/methods , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , LanguageABSTRACT
Hydroquinone is the first choice of topical bleaching agents used in treatment of melasma. In Brazil, hydroquinone is widely prescribed by physicians and often used by patients without a prescription. The principal adverse effects of its chronic use are confetti-like depigmentation and exogenous ochronosis. The latter manifests clinically with gray-brown or blue-black hyperpigmentation, as well as pinpoint hyperchromic papules that look like caviar, and therefore called caviar-like. On histopathology, curved ochre-colored structures, 'banana-shaped' fibers, appear in the papillary dermis. No description of dermoscopy in ochronosis is found in the literature. We report four cases of hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. Dermoscopy was performed in two patients on the areas with ochronosis, and in addition to the melasma findings, amorphous densely pigmented structures obliterating some follicular openings were observed. Exogenous ochronosis is an avoidable dermatosis that is difficult to treat. Dermatologists should be able to differentiate it from melasma and immediately discontinue hydroquinone. Dermoscopy might become a valuable resource in approaching exogenous ochronosis.
