Application of Wood's light in dermatological diagnostics
Journal Title: Dermatologia Kliniczna - Year 2008, Vol 10, Issue 3
Abstract
Wood's lamp is a diagnostic tool used in dermatology. The ultraviolet light at a wavelength in spectrum between 320-400 nm and with the maximum emission at approximately 365 nm is radiated onto the patient’s skin. Wood's lamp was first used in dermatology practice for the detection of fungal infection of hair in USA in 1925. The utility of the Wood's light in a modern practice is well established. The use of it occurs predominantly in diagnostic procedures involving superficial cutaneous infections, pigmentary disorders and porphyries. Wood's light is useful in diagnosing those conditions, in distin-guishing them from other conditions and in locating the precise boundaries of them. Tinea capitis caused by Microsporum spp. may reveal a brilliant green fluorescence, while Trichophyton schoenleinii a pale green fluorescence. Corynebacterium minutissimum as well as Propionibacterium acnes infections reveal a coral red fluorescence, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection produces a greenish yellow fluorescence. Hypopigmented lesions are more evident under Wood's light. Pityriasis versicolor, which gives a yellow fluorescence, can be identified and differentiated from vitiligo. Hyperpigmented lesions includ-ing circumscribed hypermelanosis and freckles are also clearly delineated under Wood's light, as are skin lesions such as lentigo maligna with indistinct margins. Based on findings on Wood's light, melasma can be more readily identified and typed according to the depth of pigment involvement. Furthermore, a Wood's lamp may be used in photodynamic diagnosis and in control of the progress of superficial chemical peels. Detection of excess porphyrins in dif-ferent forms of porphyries can easily be done with the help of Wood's lamp. The significant utility of Wood's light stems from ease of use, confirming the dictum that simple, helpful devices in medicineendure.Wood's lamps are small, durable and easyto use.
Authors and Affiliations
Rafał Białynicki-Birula, Katarzyna Gutfreund
Keywords
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