Angles and geometric shapes, but not lines, in melanocytic lesions may be helpful in the clinical diagnosis of melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Geometric shapes have been suggested to be found in malignant melanomas. We have observed a number of melanomas presenting with linear and incomplete angulated figures. OBJECTIVE: To verify the assumption that geometric shapes, a linear border and/or incomplete angulated figures may indicate a potential melanoma. METHODS: Patients with surgically removed melanocytic lesions were admitted to the study. We evaluated the presence of a sharp linear demarcation, the presence of contiguous lines resulting in the formation of angle/s and the presence of complete geometric figure. We distinguished the obtained results into melanoma and benign melanocytic naevi. RESULTS: A total of 471 melanomas and 1979 melanocytic naevi were collected. Linear borders, angles and geometric figures were observed in 42 melanomas and in 75 benign melanocytic naevi. Angles with incomplete geometric configuration were observed in 21 melanomas and in 37 benign naevi (21/471 vs. 37/1979, 4.24% vs. 1.87%; P < 0.0016); complete even if irregular geometrical figures in 12 melanomas and 17 naevi (12/471 vs. 17/1979, 2.54% vs. 0.85%; P < 0.005). The presence of line(s) did not significantly differed in the two considered groups. CONCLUSIONS: Melanocytic lesions with angulated shapes and complete geometrical configurations might indicate a suspect melanoma. Only sharp linear demarcation of the lesion do not seem to be significantly associated with melanoma suspicion.

Adnexal polyp in a newborn baby.

Birthmarks can frequently be seen in newborn babies, but their etiopathogenesis is often unclear. These lesions can be divided into three groups: vascular birthmarks, pigmented birthmarks, and birthmarks resulting in abnormal development. Some birthmarks may require further analysis and clinical follow-up in order to rule out underlying defects, malignant potential, or correlation with syndromic diseases. Presented here is the case of a newborn baby with two simultaneous birthmarks: an adnexal polyp and a nevus anemicus. Adnexal polyps are considered an uncommon clinical observation