Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscope findings of trichoepithelioma Journal Article


Authors: Ardigo, M.; Zieff, J.; Scope, A.; Gill, M.; Spencer, P.; Deng, L.; Marghoob, A. A.
Article Title: Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscope findings of trichoepithelioma
Abstract: Background: Trichoepitheliomas (TE) are benign neoplasms of follicular differentiation. Solitary lesions are often confused with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and dermoscopy are imaging tools for in vivo, noninvasive evaluation of skin lesions. To date, there has been no description of their findings in the evaluation of TE. Objective: Our aim is to describe the dermoscopic and RCM findings of histopathologically confirmed TE. Methods: Four TE were evaluated, 2 each of the desmoplastic and nondesmoplastic variants. RCM was performed on 1 of the desmoplastic and both of the nondesmoplastic lesions. Results: Dermoscopically, all of the lesions showed arborizing telangiectasias. The desmoplastic lesions also had an ivory-white background throughout. RCM showed oval, darker-appearing tumor islands that contained brightly refractile material, consistent with keratin horn cysts at the center, as well as parallel bundles of highly refractile dermal collagen surrounding the tumor islands. Conclusion: The ivory-white background throughout the lesion seen on dermoscopy may be helpful in distinguishing desmoplastic TE from BCC. The RCM findings in TE of keratin-filled cysts in tumor islands and attachment of the tumor to follicular structures have not been previously observed in BCC, and thus may also be diagnostically helpful. Further study is necessary for validation of these findings. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG.
Keywords: adult; human tissue; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; clinical feature; histopathology; anamnesis; case report; follow up; mitosis; dermoscopy; reflectance confocal microscopy; actinic keratosis; basal cell carcinoma; confocal microscopy; skin biopsy; microscopy, confocal; skin neoplasms; diagnosis, differential; cancer screening; epiluminescence microscopy; head and neck neoplasms; collagen; telangiectasia; carcinoma, basal cell; calcification; clinical examination; keratin; face cancer; reflectometry; desmoplastic trichoepithelioma; familial trichoepithelioma; trichoepithelioma
Journal Title: Dermatology
Volume: 215
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1018-8665
Publisher: S. Karger AG  
Date Published: 2007-10-01
Start Page: 354
End Page: 358
Language: English
DOI: 10.1159/000107631
PUBMED: 17911996
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 8" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: DERAE" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Alon Scope
    125 Scope
  2. Liang Deng
    82 Deng
  3. Ashfaq A Marghoob
    534 Marghoob
  4. Melissa Gill
    23 Gill