Dermoscopic pattern of psoriatic lesions on specific body sites

BACKGROUND: Scarce evidence exists on the dermoscopic pattern of psoriasis on specific body sites. OBJECTIVE: To describe the dermoscopic characteristics of psoriatic plaques located on the scalp, face, folds, palms, soles and genitalia. METHODS: Dermoscopic images of psoriatic lesions located on the aforementioned body sites were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of predefined criteria. RESULTS: A total of 139 lesions from 85 patients were included in the study. Dotted vessels were the commonest dermoscopic criterion (97.1%) followed by white scales (64.7%), while vessel distribution was regular in 87.7% of cases. Regularly distributed dotted vessels represented a constant finding in all locations, while the frequency of white scales varied significantly among different body sites. CONCLUSION: The well-known dermoscopic criteria of psoriasis can also be seen in lesions located on the scalp, face, palms, soles, folds and genitalia, with the frequency of white scales varying among different body sites.