Dermoscopy for the pediatric dermatologist part III: Dermoscopy of melanocytic lesions Journal Article


Authors: Haliasos, E. C.; Kerner, M.; Jaimes, N.; Zalaudek, I.; Malvehy, J.; Hofmann-Wellenhof, R.; Braun, R. P.; Marghoob, A. A.
Article Title: Dermoscopy for the pediatric dermatologist part III: Dermoscopy of melanocytic lesions
Abstract: Melanocytic nevi encompass a variety of lesions, including blue, Spitz, congenital, and acquired nevi. These nevi can occasionally manifest clinical morphologies resembling melanoma, and the presence of such nevi in children can elicit anxiety in patients, parents, and clinicians. Dermoscopy has been shown to increase the diagnostic accuracy for melanoma and to help differentiate melanoma from nevi, ultimately aiding in the decision-making process as to whether to perform a biopsy. Dermoscopy is the perfect instrument to use during the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions in children because it is painless and provides important information for the clinician that can assist in formulating appropriate management decisions. This review highlights the most common benign dermoscopic patterns encountered in nevi and discuss the 10 most common dermoscopic structures seen in melanomas. Lesions manifesting a benign dermoscopic pattern and lacking any melanoma-specific structures do not need to be excised and can safely be monitored. In contrast, melanomas will invariably deviate from the benign nevus patterns and will usually manifest at least 1 of the 10 melanoma-specific structures: atypical network, negative network, streaks, crystalline structures, atypical dots and globules, irregular blotch, blue-white veil, regression structures, peripheral brown structureless areas, and atypical vessels. It is important to be cognizant of the fact that melanomas in childhood usually do not manifest the clinical ABCD features. Instead, they are often symmetric, amelanotic, nodular lesions. Although the clinical appearance may not be alarming, with dermoscopy they will invariably manifest at least one melanoma-specific structure, the most common being atypical vascular structures and crystalline structures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords: clinical feature; review; follow up; melanoma; nevus; dermoepidermal junction; incidence; embryo development; risk factor; epiluminescence microscopy; melanocytic nevus; melanocytosis; molecular recognition; hyperpigmentation; amelanotic melanoma; juvenile melanoma; clinical decision making; dysplastic nevus; congenital nevus; hypopigmentation; blue nevus; dermatologist; childhood disease; speckled lentiginous nevus; juvenile xanthogranuloma; halo nevus
Journal Title: Pediatric Dermatology
Volume: 30
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0736-8046
Publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publications  
Date Published: 2013-05-01
Start Page: 281
End Page: 293
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/pde.12041
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 23252411
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 3 June 2013" - "CODEN: PEDRD" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Ashfaq A Marghoob
    534 Marghoob
  2. Miryam Kerner
    4 Kerner
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