Diascopy (z3894)
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Diascopy is a dermatological diagnostic method also known as vitropressure, used to examine skin lesions by pressing a glass slide against the skin. In 1930s dermatology, it was particularly valuable for identifying lupus nodules (lupomas) by eliminating surrounding reactive hyperemia to reveal characteristic brownish or apple-jelly colored spots.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
DIASCOPY (from the Greek dia through, and skopeo to look), in dermatology, otherwise known as vitropressure, is a method that facilitates the recognition of lupus, the individual elements of which (lupomas) are masked by the hyperemic redness of the surrounding skin's reactive inflammation. Pressing a glass plate onto the lupus plaque eliminates the hyperemia and reveals the lupomas, which stand out on the bloodless skin as translucent points of varying size the color of rust, barley sugar, or apple puree.
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Cite this page
“Diascopy (z3894).” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/diascopy/