Dermoscopy of cutaneous sarcoidosis

Abstract

Background: The clinical variability of cutaneous sarcoidosis (CS) often makes its correct diagnosis challenging. Although traditionally employed for the diagnosis of skin tumors, during the past years dermoscopy also gained increasing interest as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious skin manifestations in general dermatology.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of dermoscopy in the differential diagnosis of CS.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 7 clinical and dermoscopic images of CS that were collected at dermatology clinics in France and Italy between 2005 and 2009.

Results: Retrospective dermoscopic evaluation revealed small grouped, translucent orange globular structures associated with linear vessels of variable diameter in all 7 cases. In 5 cases, additional central scar-like areas were seen.

Conclusion: Lesions showing dermoscopically translucent yellow to orange globular-like or structureless areas associated with linear vessels should raise the suspicion of a granulomatous skin disease, including CS.