Dermoscopy of syphilitic chancre: Report of five cases.

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive tool which helps in the visualization of skin structures and patterns not visible to the naked eye. This study evaluates the effectiveness of dermoscopy in diagnosing primary syphilis, which typically presents as a painless ulcer at the site of Treponema pallidum inoculation. In this study, dermoscopic patterns such as vascular structures and background colour changes were analyzed in patients with confirmed primary syphilis. Results indicate that primary syphilis lesions often display unique dermoscopic features, including polymorphic vessels and orange, red-purple backgrounds. These patterns can facilitate the early detection and diagnosis of syphilis, improving clinical outcomes through earlier intervention. The study concludes that integrating dermoscopy into the clinical assessment of suspected syphilis lesions can enhance diagnostic accuracy.