Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venerology

Background: Differentiating sarcoidosis from necrobiotic granulomas is challenging. There is increased usage of dermoscopy to aid in diagnosis of inflammatory skin diseases. Objectives: To determine the usefulness of dermoscopy in diagnosing sarcoidal and necrobiotic granulomas. Methods: Thirty patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis and necrobiotic granulomas were enrolled in the study. The lesions were assessed clinically and dermoscopically using non contact polarized dermoscope. Results: Dermoscopic evaluation of the sarcoidosis patients showed significant dermoscopic features associated with cutaneous sarcoidosis as: pink homogenous background, translucent orange areas, white scar like depigmentation and fine white scales. P values were 0.018, 0.001, 0.025 and 0.006 respectively. On the other hand, mixed pink, white and yellowish background was significantly associated with necrobiotic granulomas. P value=0.012. Conclusions: Our findings suggests that dermoscopy is a useful tool in differentiating sarcoidal from necrobiotic granulomas.

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