Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Features of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: a Comparative Study with Acral Nevi

Overview

Journal J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2015 Oct 3

PMID 26428577

Citations 5

Authors

E Cinotti

S Debarbieux

J L Perrot

B Labeille

E Long-Mira

C Habougit

C Douchet

L Depaepe

H Hammami-Ghorbel

J P Lacour

L Thomas

F Cambazard

P Bahadoran

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) can be difficult to differentiate from acral nevus. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is widely used for the diagnosis of melanocytic tumours, but the RCM features of ALM and acral nevus have not been described yet.

Objective: To determine the RCM features of ALM and acral nevus, and their correlation with clinical and histological characteristics.

Methods: Retrospective study of 17 cases of ALM and 26 acral nevi.

Results: Pagetoid cells were present in all ALMs with a visible epidermis and in three nevi. A proliferation of atypical melanocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) and/or in the dermis was visible in nine ALMs but not in nevi. The histopathological examination of initial skin biopsies was unable to diagnose ALM in four cases, differing from RCM that could identify malignant tumour cells by exploring the whole lesions.

Conclusion: Reflectance confocal microscopy can help in the differentiation of ALM and acral nevus, and to guide the biopsy.

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In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Applied to Acral Melanocytic Lesions: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

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Recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of acral melanoma.

Alhaskawi A, Hasan Abdullah Ezzi S, Dong Y, Zhou H, Wang Z, Lai J J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2024; 25(2):106-122.

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Plantar Spitz nevus mimicking melanoma.

Valinoto G, Santos F, Lellis R, Maia M An Bras Dermatol. 2022; 97(4):545-547.

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In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in General Dermatology: How to Choose the Right Indication.

Franceschini C, Persechino F, Ardigo M Dermatol Pract Concept. 2020; 10(2):e2020032.

PMID: 32363095 PMC: 7190461. DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1002a32.