Videodermatoscopy: a useful tool for diagnosing cutaneous dystrophic calcifications

A suspected diagnosis of cutaneous calcification is based on the presence of slightly elevated or ulcerated firm, white papules and plaques; these lesions often extrude white, chalky material. In clinical practice, however, a biopsy is required to confirm clinical suspicions. We attempted to demonstrate cutaneous calcinosis in vivo by using Raman spectroscopy, a nondestructive analytical method based on the analysis of light scattered from the investigated material. We used digital videodermatoscopy to improve the detection of cutaneous calcifications in vivo in two patients with CREST syndrome. A characteristic flower-like arrangement was observed at x-50 magnification. We believe this pattern may be highly indicative of cutaneous dystrophic calcinosis.