SIAscopy of the skin

Today, modern dermatology offers such a modern method for the early diagnosis of melanoma, such as siascopy. Almost any suspicious elements on the skin can be scanned with a siasccope. This device will help to reliably determine their structure, assess the likelihood of developing oncopathology and establish the most optimal therapy.

Siascopy is a spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis involving the study of pigmented skin elements. The method is based on the interaction of light waves of various lengths with the pigment melanin, hemoglobin and collagen up to two millimeters deep. Siascopy does not give the patient any unpleasant sensations, as the procedure is quick and pain-free.[1]

Indications for the procedure

Siascopy allows you to visualize:

• dermatoscopic picture of the skin element with the definition of the true color shade and the external structure of the neoplasm;
• changes in melanin concentration;
• areas with no melanin in the papillary dermal layer;
• areas with a higher or lower concentration of hemoglobin;
• areas with a higher or lower concentration of collagen.

Siascopy is used to diagnose and control such pathologies:

• malignant melanoma (superficial, nodular, malignant lentigo, acral-lentiginous melanoma);
• basal cell carcinoma;
• papillomatous dermal nevus, congenital and blue nevus, hemangioma, spitz nevus, atypical melanocytic nevus, seborrheic keratosis, angiokeratoma, dermatofibroma;
• eczema, psoriasis;
• acne, head lice, scabies;
• warts.

In addition, siascopy is performed to monitor the wound healing process, to assess skin age, as well as in cosmetology. [2]

Preparation

Siascopy does not require special patient training. Cosmetics and medicines do not affect the quality of the results obtained. [3]

Technique SIASscopy

Siascopy helps non-invasively and in a short time to assess a wide variety of skin elements. The results are reflected on the monitor screen as a three-dimensional image. The doctor gets the opportunity to carefully examine the formation, determine the structural features, color shade, concentration content of pigment and hemoglobin. The vascular network also lends itself to detailed consideration. [4]

Siascopy provides all the information you need to assess the real condition of skin lesions. A certain skin area can be visually enlarged to visualize all possible deviations. Thanks to such a diagnosis, the doctor manages to accurately determine further tactics, which may consist in removing the pathological element, or in establishing observation of its condition.

The siascopy procedure is as follows. The doctor applies a special device called a siascaner to a suspicious skin element. Already for several seconds, a multiply enlarged picture of the internal structure of the neoplasm up to two millimeters in depth is visualized on the monitor. The doctor has the opportunity to evaluate all detected changes without any special problems.

The siascaner takes five snapshots, which are called siascans. The first picture shows an enlarged image of the element, the second shows the vascular network, the third shows the distribution of surface pigment, the fourth shows the distribution and concentration of deep pigment, and the fifth picture shows the collagen content and the presence of additional inclusions. Next, the doctor collects all the information received, including anamnestic data and a description, and enters it into a computer. After decoding and generation, a special program evaluates the danger of the detected skin element using a 12-point scale. [5]

After that, the results are evaluated by a doctor. As a rule, if the indicator of pathological suspicion is less than six points, then we can talk about the harmlessness of the neoplasm: such an element is not removed, but continues to be observed in dynamics. If the indicators are high, then the patient is referred to oncologists for further advanced diagnostics.

The information obtained during siascopy is stored in the clinic's file cabinet. The doctor additionally makes a duplicate and gives it to the patient. If necessary, sends an electronic version to the attending specialist. After the procedure, the patient can go home: no additional action is required on his part. [6]

Contraindications to the procedure

Experts point out the absence of any contraindications to diagnostic siascopy. The procedure involves the use of an ordinary light beam, which does not have any, even minimal, negative effect on either the skin or the entire human body. Siascopy can be prescribed to any patient, at any age, for any health condition. [7]

Consequences after the procedure

If, during the examination of siascopy, the doctor discovers a malignant pathology, then he must refer the patient to a specialist oncologist. The next step can be a histological examination, which is necessary in any case to remove pathological elements on the skin (especially those associated with changes in pigmentation).

If a person is diagnosed with a benign neoplasm, and he refuses to remove it, then he is given the results of the diagnosis and sent home. If the patient wishes, such a neoplasm is removed. This can be done using the following methods:

• laser removal;
• radio wave removal.

The proposed methods are quite effective, they practically do not leave marks and scars on the skin.

No negative consequences caused by the siascopy procedure itself are found. [8]

Complications after the procedure

Siascopy is one of the most accurate, effective and safe diagnostic techniques in dermatology. The procedure is based on a spectrophotometric intracutant assay. For diagnostics, a special siascop device is used, developed by employees of the University of Cambridge.

Siascopy is absolutely safe and does not cause complications and negative consequences. The essence of the procedure lies in the interaction of waves of light fluxes of different lengths with the pigment substance melanin, as well as with collagen and hemoglobin. [9]

There are no restrictions on the number and frequency of siascopy studies. Diagnostics can be performed at any age, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Care after the procedure

Due to the fact that siascopy is a non-invasive and non-hazardous procedure, the patient does not require additional time and resources for recovery. He can return to work and live a normal life immediately after the study. However, medical advice must be strictly followed. For example, if a malignant tumor was detected during siascopy, then the patient is urgently referred to an oncologist, where a number of additional studies are performed and prepared for removal of the tumor. [10]

If a benign formation has been identified, then the doctor may advise to remove it. But, if the patient does not feel the discomfort associated with the presence of a neoplasm, then you can not rush to remove it, but observe it in dynamics. At the same time, the patient will be given the following recommendations:

• protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation, avoid intense sun exposure;
• do not visit the solarium;
• beware of damage and injury to the skin in the area of the appearance of a pathological element;
• regularly examine the skin, observe the growth of neoplasms, periodically visit a dermatologist to control the growth of pathology;
• if signs of malignancy appear (discharge, bleeding, scales and crusts, pain, tingling, swelling), you should definitely consult a doctor.

Reviews

Thanks to siascopy, dermatologists have managed to significantly reduce the number of diagnostic errors, increase the rate of timely removal of skin neoplasms. In general, doctors note the following positive aspects of siascopy:

• allows you to detect skin pathology in just half a minute;
• can save the results of diagnostics and, if necessary, compare indicators;
• facilitates dynamic monitoring of suspicious elements;
• allows for a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the state of the neoplasm;
• siascope is lightweight, portable and convenient, and the procedure is comfortable for both the patient and the doctor;
• the method is diagnostically accurate.

It is very convenient that the scans after siascopy can be saved in memory and, if necessary, further used by overlaying, or by visible comparison during repeated consultations. A special programmer creates a reference point, and the indicators are exported to the entered email address. In this way, you can get an opinion even remotely. [11]

It is important that siascopy is able to examine suspicious elements at the initial stage of their development, when they are still invisible to the naked eye.