Characterization of Actinic Keratosis by Dermoscopy in Koreans

Baek, Jong Heon; Kim, Myoung Shin; Lee, Un Ha; Hahm, Jeong Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Dermoscopy is a real-time, noninvasive technique that increases the diagnostic accuracy of clinical evaluation by the dermatologist. Characterization of facial actinic keratosis via dermoscopy is valuable in guiding the dermatologist in the differential diagnosis of facial skin lesions. To our knowledge, dermoscopic evaluation of actinic keratosis has not yet been reported in Korean literature.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the dermoscopic features of facial actinic keratosis in Koreans.
METHODS
We examined 60 patients with facial actinic keratosis using dermoscopy. We determined the frequency of specific features revealed by dermoscopy across the Korean patient population and compared our results with those of other published studies.
RESULTS
A total of 67 facial actinic keratoses were observed in 60 patients. The common features of non-pigmented actinic keratoses revealed by dermoscopy were a red pseudo-network (66%), white-to-yellow surface scales (48.9%), linear wavy vessels (38.3%), and targetoid hair follicles (42.6%). The common features of pigmented actinic keratoses revealed by dermoscopy were slate-grey dots (55%) and globules (30%), annular-granular pattern (35%), a brown-to-gray pseudo-network (40%), and targetoid hair follicles (30%). The frequency of specific features revealed by dermoscopy across the analyzed patient population was not significantly different from that reported in other studies, except for rhomboidal structures (5%), which was lower in Koreans than in other populations (35.8%, p<0.05). The frequency of dermoscopic features was different according to histopathologic subtypes (hypertrophic, atrophic, bowenoid, acantholytic actinic keratosis).
CONCLUSION
Dermoscopy revealed specific features of facial actinic keratosis that can be utilized to evaluate and diagnose facial skin lesions.