In 1971, Rona MacKie was the first to recognize the advantages of using dermoscopy for differentiating malignant versus benign pigmented skin lesions.<sup>5 MacKie R.M. An aid to the preoperative assessment of pigmented lesions of the skin Br J Dermatol 1971 ;  85 : 232-223  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Since then, a whole series of dermoscopic structures, features, and patterns have been identified, ultimately translating into valuable guidelines for physicians in the field. Dermoscopy has been shown to increase the accuracy of diagnosing melanoma, <sup>12 Pehamberger H., Binder M., Steiner A., Wolff K. In vivo epiluminescence microscopy: Improvement of early diagnosis of melanoma J Invest Dermatol 1993 ;  100 : 356S-362S

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> no doubt its most beneficial function. Dermoscopy also can be helpful in differentiating other pigmented lesions.<sup>12 Pehamberger H., Binder M., Steiner A., Wolff K. In vivo epiluminescence microscopy: Improvement of early diagnosis of melanoma J Invest Dermatol 1993 ;  100 : 356S-362S

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Reviewed here are the dermoscopic features and patterns of both congenital and acquired benign melanocytic nevi discussed in parallel with their clinical features. The objective is to present general guidelines to distinguish these benign pigmented lesions from each other and from melanoma and to describe dermoscopic features and classic patterns associated with various types of benign melanocytic nevi. Only congenital melanocytic, common acquired, atypical (dysplastic), Spitz, blue, and halo nevi are described; rare melanocytic nevi of which dermatoscopic features are not readily available are not discussed.