Handheld reflectance confocal microscopy may represent an adjunctive, fast, non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum, revealing microscopic details closely related to histopathology, as demonstrated by this study evaluating 19 molluscum lesions in 11 patients. It permits the rapid examination of one or multiple skin lesions in real time and it is perfectly suitable for children.

© 2016 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

KEYWORDS: dermoscopy; histopathology; infection; molluscum contagiosum; reflectance confocal microscopy; viral

PMID:27282954