Dermoscopic, Histological, Confocal Microscopy Correlation of Atypical-Dysplastic Melanocytic Nevi.

INTRODUCTION: The term "atypical melanocytic nevus" (AMN) is used as a synonym for dysplastic nevus (DN) in clinical practice. Although the criteria for diagnosis of AMN/DN by the Agency for Research on Cancer helps to differentiate AMN/DN from common acquired nevi, they do not have high degrees of specificity, as they are similar to those used for the diagnosis of melanoma. OBJECTIVES: In this retrospective study we evaluated the correlation and diagnostic concordance of dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, and histological examination in 50 AMN. METHODS: A graded scale was used to compare histological examination with dermoscopy and confocal microscopy. Low magnification histological images of only the central part of lesions were examined. This allowed histological diagnoses based almost exclusively on architectural criteria instead of simultaneously architectural and cytological, as in the global histological examination. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate that the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy and confocal microscopy diagnosis of the clinical aspects of AMN/DN as nevi or melanomas tends to be equivalent, being fair for nevi and excellent for melanomas. The total percentage of AMN suggested that the accuracy of confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of melanoma (86.7%) is greater than that of dermoscopy (73.3%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that diagnostic assessments of AMN/DN by dermoscopy and confocal microscopy are accurate and often coincide with those of histological examination and that their combined use helps to better manage and monitor these patients by facilitating early detection of melanomas and reducing unnecessary excisions of benign melanocytic lesions.

Amelanotic/hypomelanotic lentigo maligna: Dermoscopic and confocal features predicting diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Amelanotic/hypomelanotic lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma (AHLM/LMM) may be very difficult to diagnose at an early stage. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the predictive value of dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features for AHLM/LMM. METHODS: Dermoscopic and RCM images of histopathologically diagnosed AHLM/LMM, amelanotic/hypomelanotic benign lesions (AHBL), and amelanotic/hypomelanotic basal and squamous cell carcinomas (AHBCC/AHSCC) of the head and neck from consecutive patients were retrospectively collected and blindly evaluated by three observers to assess presence or absence of dermoscopic and RCM criteria. RESULTS: Overall, 224 lesions in 216 patients including LM/LMM (n = 55, 24.6%), AHBL (n = 107, 47.8%) and AHBCC/AHSCC (n = 62, 27.7%) were analysed. Multivariable analysis showed that milky-red areas (OR = 5.46; 95% CI: 1.51-19.75), peripheral light brown structureless areas (OR = 19.10; 4.45-81.96), linear irregular vessels (OR = 5.44; 1.45-20.40), and asymmetric pigmented follicles (OR = 14.45; 2.77-75.44) at dermoscopy, and ≥3 atypical cells in five fields (OR = 10.12; 3.00-34.12) and focal follicular localization of atypical cells at dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) (OR = 10.48; 1.10-99.81) at RCM were significantly independent diagnostic factors for AHLM/LMM vs. AHBL. In comparison with AHBCC/AHSCC, peripheral light brown structureless area (OR = 7.11; 1.53-32.96), pseudonetwork around hair follicles (OR = 16.69; 2.73-102.07), and annular granular structures (OR = 42.36; 3.51-511.16) at dermoscopy and large dendritic (OR = 6.86; 3.15-38.28) and round pagetoid cells (OR = 26.78; 3.15-227.98) at RCM led to a significantly increased risk of diagnosing AHLM/LMM. CONCLUSIONS: Amelanotic/hypomelanotic lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma may have the same dermoscopic features of AHM on other body sites, such as milky red areas, peripheral light brown structureless areas and linear irregular vessels. These features, asymmetric pigmented follicles and at RCM ≥ 3 atypical cells in five fields and focal follicular extension of atypical cells at DEJ may help in recognizing AHLM/LMM even when LM conventional features (e.g., obliteration of hair follicles under dermoscopy and large pagetoid cells under RCM) are absent or present only in very small areas of the lesion.

Photodynamic therapy for superficial basal cell carcinomas: Clinical features of partial responses and recurrences.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common skin cancers. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a first line therapy option for superficial BCCs, providing good response and low side effects. The aim of current study is to evaluate the clinicopathological features associated with partial responses or recurrences of BCCs treated with one cycle-PDT (two sessions, one week apart). METHODS: Superficial BCCs treated with PDT between 2016 and 2019 were analyzed. At the 6-month follow-up visit, BCCs were subdivided in "high clearance" or "partial response", based on clinical and/or dermoscopic examination. "High clearance" lesions underwent 24-month follow-up visit and were assigned to "sustained clearance" or "recurrence" groups. Information about age, sex, site, size of lesions, skin biopsy and multiple lesions were collected and the association with the outcomes were estimated with multivariable logistic models. RESULTS: 234 superficial BCCs from 216 patients were analyzed. At the 6-month follow-up visit, 171 out of 234 BCCs (73%) presented a "high clearance", while 63 lesions (27%) showed a "partial response". 28 out of 171 high clearance BCCs (16%) presented a recurrence within 24 months. When "partial response" is compared with the "high clearance" or "sustained clearance" group, a significant difference in mean superficial size of lesions is detected, with higher values in "partial response". Head and neck BCCs have a double risk of recurrence within 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: PDT is a good therapeutic option for superficial BCCs, even though BCCs of head and neck have a higher risk of recurrences and larger BCCs could need a supplementary treatment.

Dynamic dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic changes of melanocytic lesions excised during follow up.

BACKGROUND: Digital dermoscopy follow up (DDF) is useful in improving the recognition of melanoma, catching early changes over time, although benign nevi can also show changes. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) improves accuracy in diagnosing melanoma and decreases the number of unnecessary resections. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dynamic dermoscopic and RCM changes during follow up of equivocal melanocytic lesions and assess the impact of adjunctive RCM to DDF for melanoma diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study of extrafacial atypical melanocytic lesions excised during follow up was performed. Morphologic changes were evaluated, comparing dermoscopy and RCM baseline and follow-up images. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven atypical melanocytic lesions were studied, including 14 melanomas and 123 benign nevi. Significantly greater changes in DDF of atypical network, regression, atypical streaks, and asymmetrical growth as well as in dynamic RCM of atypical cells and dermal-epidermal junction disarray were noted in melanomas. With adjunctive dynamic RCM and major changes at DDF, sensitivity reached 100%, with 40.6% specificity. LIMITATIONS: Selected series of difficult to recognize lesions, with both DDF and dynamic RCM images. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive dynamic RCM improves early melanoma recognition sensitivity.

Treatment monitoring of 5-fluorouracil 0.5%/salicylic acid 10% lesion-directed therapy for actinic keratosis using dermoscopy and in-vivo reflectance confocal microscopy.

Recently, 5-fluorouracil 0.5%/salicylic acid 10% (5-FU/SA) topical solution has been included in the National Italian portfolio for lesion-directed treatment of grade I/II actinic keratosis (AKs) located on the face or scalp. To describe the utility of dermoscopy and RCM in treatment response monitoring of a series of AKs treated with 5-FU/SA as lesion-directed therapy. Consecutive patients were prospectively treated for a maximum of 12 weeks with 5-FU/SA for AKs located on the face or scalp. Clinical, dermoscopic, and confocal images of one index AK were acquired at each visit and pre-specified criteria were evaluated. Clinical, dermoscopic, and confocal responses were evaluated at last follow-up visit. Fourteen patients were enrolled, of which five were treated for 12 weeks, seven for 8, and two for 4 weeks. At a median follow up of 30 weeks, 64.3% (9/14) index AKs achieved complete clinical, 50% (7/14) complete dermoscopic and 42.9% (6/14) complete confocal clearance. Local skin reaction was mild and significantly decreased during therapy administration. Although the small number of cases, our study underlines the utility of both dermoscopy and in-vivo RCM in 5-FU/SA treatment response monitoring for AKs located on the face or scalp.