Confocal Microscopy and Skin Dermoscopy Laboratory
Department of Dermatology Venereology and Allergology
Faculty of Medicine
ABOUT US
The Confocal Microscopy and Skin Dermoscopy Laboratory at the Department of Dermatology Venereology and Allergology was established in 2022 with the support of the Polish Ministry of Education and Science (Science Investment Grant and funds from the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” program).
It is a unique unit, with its task to study the correlation of clinical, dermoscopic and histological results, as well as images obtained by confocal microscopy with live specimens, aimed at providing clinical implementation of optimal non-invasive methods of diagnosing dermatoses, with particular emphasis on skin cancer.
The establishment of the laboratory creates conditions for continuing work on the application of non-invasive skin imaging methods. Previous research interests of the Laboratory’s team, supported by publications (which can be consulted at the bottom of the page), focused on dermoscopy and videodermoscopy.
OUR POTENTIAL
- VivaScope 1500/3000 – the latest system for performing tests using reflectance confocal microscopy and videodermoscopy
- International cooperation
- Research staff with passion
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Confocal microscopy using live specimens is a state-of-the-art real-time skin imaging tool that bridges the gap between dermoscopic and histopathologic tests, and greatly enhances the diagnostic capabilities for skin lesions. The method allows non-invasive imaging of skin structures with a resolution of 0.5-1.0 μm in the transverse plane and 4-5 μm in the axial plane, to a depth of up to 200-300 μm, which corresponds to the papillary layer of healthy skin.
The laser confocal microscope is a modern variation of the fluorescence microscope, with its light source consisting of a laser. This makes it possible to create the so-called optical cross-sections of the specimen in real time. Analyzed light comes from a single plane, and light reaching from layers above or below is eliminated. The device generates black and white images of the skin in optimal quality. By integrating the system with a videodermoscope, it is possible to study the correlation of videodermoscopic and confocal microscopy images.
Resolution of images obtained by confocal microscopy is comparable to conventional histopathological images, allowing the clinician to obtain plenty of additional information. The test involving the confocal microscope could be compared to a “virtual biopsy” that allows making the diagnosis without violating tissue continuity.
Basal cell carcinoma of the skin − clinical image (A), dermoscopic image (B) and image obtained using a confocal microscope©.
RESEARCH TEAM
The research team includes:
- Dr. Habil. Michał Sobjanek
- Prof. Małgorzata Sokołowska-Wojdyło
- Martyna Sławińska.Ph.D.
- Jakub Żółkiewicz, M.D.
PUBLICATIONS
Many publications have been developed based on the results of the research obtained by using the knowledge, experience of scientists from the Department and its equipment, including.
1. Sławińska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Sobjanek M., Golińska J., Nowicki R. J., Rudnicka L. The significance of dermoscopy and trichoscopy in differentiation of erythroderma due to various dermatological disorders. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2021: vol. 35, nr 1, s. 230-240.
2. Sławińska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Olszewska B., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M., Zalaudek I. Dermoscopic and trichoscopic features of primary cutaneous lymphomas : systematic review. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2021: vol. 35, nr 7, s. 1470-1484.
3. Sławińska M., Płaszczyńska A., Lakomy J., Pastuszak K., Biernat W., Sikorska M., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Significance of dermoscopy in association with clinical features in differentiation of basal cell carcinoma and benign trichoblastic tumours. Cancers 2022: vol. 14, nr 16, art. ID 3964, s. 1-13.
4. Sławińska M., Kamińska-Winciorek G., Balicka U., Żawrocki A., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M., Errichetti E. Lesion- and patient-related variables may provide additional clues during dermoscopic assessment of blue nevi – a retrospective cohort study. Cancers 2022: vol. 14, nr 8, art. ID 1920, s. 1-12.
5. Sobjanek M., Sławińska M., Romaszkiewicz A., Biernat W., Pęksa R., Nowicki R. J. Childhood longitudinal melanonychia: case series from Poland. Post. Dermatol. Alergol. 2020: t. 37, nr 2, s. 195-201.
6. Sobjanek M., Sławińska M., Romaszkiewicz A., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Jasiel-Walikowska E., Nowicki R. Dermoscopic features of periungual papules in multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2017: vol. 31, nr 10, s. e442-e443.
7. Sławińska M., Opalska A., Mehrholz D., Sobjanek M., Nowicki R., Barańska-Rybak W. Videodermoscopy supports the diagnosis of eyelash trichotillomania. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2017: vol. 31, nr 11, s. e477-e478.
8. Sławińska M., Hlebowicz M., Iżycka-Świeszewska E., Sikorska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Smiatacz T., Nowicki R., Sobjanek M. Dermoscopic observations in disseminated cryptococcosis with cutaneous involvement. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2018: vol. 32, nr 6, s. e223-e224.
9. Romaszkiewicz A., Sławińska M., Sobjanek M., Nowicki R. J. Nail dermoscopy (onychoscopy) is useful in diagnosis and treatment follow-up of the nail mixed infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Post. Dermatol. Alergol. 2018: t. 35, nr 3, s. 327-329.
10. Sławińska M., Sobjanek M., Olszewska B., Nowicki R., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M. Trichoscopic spectrum of folliculotropic mycosis fungoides. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2018: vol. 32, nr 3, s. e107-e108.
11. Sławińska M., Hlebowicz M., Iżycka-Świeszewska E., Sikorska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Smiatacz T., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. The role of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of deep mycoses and systemic mycoses with cutaneous involvement: comment on ‘Dermoscopy in disseminated sporotrichosis’. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2019: vol. 33, nr 1, s. e35-e36.
12. Sobjanek M., Sławińska M., Drucis K., Nowicki R. J. Porocarcinoma of the nail: a dermoscopic observation. Australas. J. Dermatol. 2020: vol. 61, nr 1, e128-e130.
13. Sławińska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Biernat W., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Trichoscopic features of lymphomatoid papulosis. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2020 vol. 34, nr 1, s. e47-e49.
14. Jha A.K., Sonthalia S., Sławińska M., Lallas A., Vinay K., Sobjanek M., Kaminska-Winciorek G., Zeeshan M., Errichetti E. Mucoscopy of lip squamous cell carcinoma and correlation with skin phototype and histological differentiation: amulticentric retrospective observational study by the International Dermoscopy Society. Int. J. Dermatol. 2021: vol. 60, nr 4, s. 489-496.
15. Jha A.K., Sławińska M. * , Vinay K., Akay B.N., Kamińska-Winciorek G., Sobjanek M., Zeeshan M, Singh A., Ankad B., Bhat Y.J., Lallas A., Apalla Z., Zalaudek I., Errichettij E. Dermoscopic features of actinic cheilitis and other common inflammatory cheilitis: a multicentric retrospective observational study by the international dermoscopy society. Dermatology 2022: vol. 238, nr 5, s. 870-875.
16. Errichetti E., Geller S., Zalaudek I., Longo C., Kyrgidis A., Akay B.N., Piccolo V., Myskowski P., Vitiello P., Russo T., Argenziano G., Sławińska M. , Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Sobjanek M., Toncic R.J., Rados J., Ledic D.D., Ceovic R., Kamińska-Winciorek G., Zaballos P., Reggiani C., Kremic Z., Lanssens S., Güleç A.T., Lobato-Berezo A., Damiani G., Maione V., Calzavara-Pinton P., Sotiriou E., Stinco G., Apalla Z., Lallas A. Dermatoscopy of nodular/plaque-type primary cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphomas: a retrospective comparative study with pseudolymphomas and tumoral/inflammatory mimickers by the International Dermoscopy Society. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2022: vol. 86, nr 4, s. 774-781.
17. Jaworska K., Sławińska M. * , Wyszomirski A., Lakomy J., Sobjanek M. Dermoscopic features of eyelid margin tumors: a single-center retrospective study. J. Dermatol. 2022: vol. 49, nr 9, s. 851-861.
18. Errichetti E., Apalla Z., Geller S., Sławińska M. , Kyrgidis A., Kamińska-Winciorek G., Jurakic T. R., Bobos M., Rados J., Ledic Drvar D., Ceovic R., Akay B.N., Piccolo V., Myskowski P., Vitiello P., Russo T., Argenziano G., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Sobjanek M., Stojkovic-Filipovic J., Longo C., Pellacani G., Stinco G., Lallas A. Dermoscopic spectrum of mycosis fungoides : a retrospective observational study by the International Dermoscopy Society. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2022: vol. 36, nr 7, s. 1045-1053.
19. Golińska J., Sar-Pomian M., Sławińska M., Sobjanek M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Rudnicka L. Trichoscopy may enhance the differential diagnosis of erythroderma. Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 2022: vol. 47, nr 2, s. 394-398
20. Sławińska M., Balicka U., Kamińska-Winciorek G., Sikorska M., Nowicki R.J., Sobjanek M. Agminated blue nevi: a case series and updated dermoscopic review. Post. Dermatol. Alergol. 2022. doi:10.5114/ada.2022.119416
21. Sławińska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Biernat W., Zaryczańska A., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Dermoscopic features of leukemia cutis: case series. Indian J. Dermatol. 2021: vol. 66, nr 2, s. 187-190.
22. Kozubowska K., Sławińska M., Sobjanek M. The role of dermoscopy in diagnostics of dermatological conditions of the eyelid, eyelashes, and conjunctiva: a literature review. Int. J. Dermatol. 2021: vol. 60, nr 8, s. 915-924.
23. Jha A.K., Vinay K., Sławińska M., Sonthalia S., Sobjanek M., Kamińska-Winciorek G., Errichetti E., Kamat D., Chatterjee D., Apalla Z., Zalaudek I., Goldust M., Lallas A. Application of mucous membrane dermoscopy (mucoscopy) in diagnostics of benign oral lesions: literature review and preliminary observations from International Dermoscopy Society study. Dermatol. Ther. 2021: vol. 34, nr 1, art. ID e14478, s. 1-10.
24. Starace M., Orlando G., Iorizzo M., Alessandrini A., Bruni F., Mandel V.D., Awatef K., Cabo H., Fabbrocini G., Hanane B., Lanssens S., Lobato-Berezo A., Mernissi F.Z., Paoli J., Patri A., Cohen Sabban E.N., Sławińska M., Sobjanek M., Zaar O., Pellacani G., Piraccini B.M. Clinical and dermoscopic approaches to diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia: results from a multicenter study of the International Dermoscopy Society. Dermatol. Pract. Concept. 2022: vol. 12, nr 1, art. ID e2022080, s. 1-9.
25. Sławińska M., Kaszuba A., Lange M., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M., Errichetti E. Dermoscopic features of different forms of cutaneous mastocytosis: a systematic review. J. Clin. Med. 2022: vol. 11, nr 16, art. ID 4649, s. 1-11.
26. Sławińska M., Hlebowicz M., Iżycka-Świeszewska E., Sikorska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Smiatacz T., Gesing M., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Dermoscopic features of giant molluscum contagiosum in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Acta Dermatovenerol. Croat. 2020: vol. 28, nr 4, s. 233-235.
27. Sławińska M., Rogowska P., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. An unexpected cause of an itchy tattoo revealed in videodermoscopic examination. Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 2021: vol. 46, nr 2, s. 355-356.
28. Sławińska M., Sokołowska-Wojdyło M., Sobjanek M., Biernat W., Nowicki R. J., Happle R. Frontal fibrosing alopecia sparing a dermal melanocytic nevus: a report of two cases of Renbök phenomenon. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2022: vol. 36, nr 12, s. e1042-e1043.
29. Sławińska M., Biernat W., Lange M., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Dermoscopy of Nanta nevus: a study of two cases. J. Dermatol. 2022: vol. 49, nr 1, s. e5-e6.
30. Sobjanek M., Sławińska M., Bykowska B., Wilkowska A., Nowicki R. Użyteczność wideodermoskopii w diagnostyce świerzbu. Przegl. Dermatol. 2016: t. 103, nr 5, s. 383-386.
31. Romaszkiewicz A., Sławińska M., Biernat W., Drucis K., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Malignancy of the nail apparatus: clinical and dermoscopic analysis. Przegl. Dermatol. 2018: t. 105, nr 5, s. 593-603.
32. Sławińska M., Lakomy J., Sikorska M., Nowicki R., Sobjanek M. Czerniak spitzoidalny skóry: obraz kliniczny, dermoskopowy i histopatologiczny: opis przypadku. Dermatol. Estet. 2018: vol. 20, nr 2, s. 95-99.
33. Sławińska M., Sikorska M., Biernat W., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Significance of dermoscopy in early detection of acral basal cell carcinoma in patients with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. Przegl. Dermatol. 2018: t. 105, nr 1, s. 87-90.
34. Sobjanek M., Sławińska M., Burdach R., Pęksa R., Biernat W. Cutaneous metastases from salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland: the first dermoscopic report. Forum Dermatol. 2020: t. 6, nr 2, s. 63-64.
35. Płaszczyńska A., Sławińska M., Nowicki T. K., Śmigielski G., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis: a phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis. Przegl. Dermatol. 2021: t. 108, nr 3, s. 227-231.
36. Sadko K. Płaszczyńska A., Sławińska M., Konczalska M., Sobjanek M. Acquired lymphangioma of the vulva – clinical and dermoscopic presentation. Przegl. Dermatol. 2022: vol. 109, nr 2, s. 1-4.
37. Płaszczyńska A., Sławińska M., Nowicki R. J., Sobjanek M. Foreign body cutaneous granuloma associated with a rose thorn: dermoscopy will tell you more. Przegl. Dermatol. 2021: t. 108, nr 5, s. 426-428.
CONTACT
Martyna Sławińska, Ph.D.,
Department of Dermatology Venereology and Allergology
Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny
Smoluchowskiego 17, Streer
80-211 Gdańsk
Phone 58 584 40 10
Mail martyna.slawinska@gumed.edu.pl
photo: private archive