| Objective: The dermoscopic features in pediatric cases of pityriasis rosea and psoriasis vulgaris were investigated to provide evidence for their clinical diagnosis. Methods: Dermoscopic images taken from thirty-two children with pityriasis rosea and psoriasis vulgaris respectively from January 2021 to August 2023 in the department of dermatology of our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The background color, scales color and distribution, vessels morphology and distributions of skin lesions were observed under dermoscope. The groups were compared using Chi-square test and Fisher exact probability test. Results: In the pityriasis rosea group, 24 cases (75.0%) showed yellowish background color and 26 cases (81.2%) showed peripheral scales distribution. The main vessels morphology were dotted vessels in 28 cases (87.5%) and 31 cases (96.9%) showed focal vessels distributions. In psoriasis vulgaris group, 25 cases (78.1%) showed bright red background color and 23 cases (71.9%) showed diffuse scales distribution. The vessels morphology were a mixture of (dotted, glomerular, annular and hairpin-like) vessels in 31 cases (96.9%), and 30 cases (93.8%) showed diffuse regular vessels distributions. All of the differences observed between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Under dermatoscope, the main features of pityriasis rosea were yellowish background color, peripheral scales distribution, dotted vessels and focal vessels distributions. While bright red background color, diffuse scales distribution, a mixture of (dotted, glomerular, annular and hairpin-like) vessels and diffuse regular vessels distributions were the main features of psoriasis vulgaris. Dermatoscopy can be used to distinguish pityriasis rosea from psoriasis vulgaris in children and assist in clinical diagnosis. |
