Reflectance-mode confocal microscopy of pigmented skin lesions–improvement in melanoma diagnostic specificity - 21/08/11
, Anna Maria Cesinaro, MD b, Stefania Seidenari, MD a
Reprint requests: Giovanni Pellacani, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy.Modena, Italy
Abstract |
Background |
In vivo confocal microscopy enables skin visualization with a quasihistopathologic resolution.
Objective |
We sought to describe confocal features in melanocytic lesions and to evaluate their diagnostic significance for melanoma (MM) identification.
Methods |
Thirty seven MMs, 49 acquired nevi, and 16 Spitz/Reed nevi, presenting equivocal clinicodermoscopic aspects were investigated by confocal microscopy.
Results |
MMs and nevi significantly differed for some aspects. In multivariate analysis, the presence of nonedged dermal papillae, atypical cells, and isolated nucleated cells within dermal papilla, pagetoid cells, widespread pagetoid infiltration, and cerebriform clusters were strongly correlated with MM diagnosis. A receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.952 was obtained.
Limitations |
Spitz/Reed nevi represented a pitfall in confocal diagnosis, owing to the frequent observation of pagetoid infiltration, architectural disarray, and cytologic atypia, and to the impossibility of evaluating cell maturation with depth.
Conclusion |
Characterization of confocal microscopy features of MMs and nevi seems to improve diagnostic accuracy for melanocytic lesions that are difficult to diagnose.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Plan
| Funding source: Supported in part by a grant from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Modena. Conflicts of interest: None identified. |
Vol 53 - N° 6
P. 979-985 - décembre 2005 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
- Lipomas treated with subcutaneous deoxycholate injections
- Adam M. Rotunda, Glynis Ablon, Michael S. Kolodney
- Pilot study on the sensitivity and specificity of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis
- Susanne Astner, Ernesto Gonzalez, Arnold Cheung, Francisca Rius-Diaz, Salvador González
Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?