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Dermoscopy is useful in evaluating skin tumours, but its applicability also extends into the field of inflammatory skin disorders. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) represents the most common subtype of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. While dermoscopy and videodermoscopy have been shown to aid the differentiation of scalp DLE from other causes of scarring alopecia, limited data exist concerning dermoscopic criteria of DLE in other locations, such as the face, trunk and extremities.To describe the dermoscopic criteria observed in a series of patients with DLE located on areas other than the scalp, and to correlate them to the underlying histopathological alterations.DLE lesions located on the face, trunk and extremities were dermoscopically and histopathologically examined. Selection of the dermoscopic variables included in the evaluation process was based on data in the available literature on DLE of the scalp and on our preliminary observations. Analysis of data was done with SPSS analysis software.Fifty-five lesions from 37 patients with DLE were included in the study. Perifollicular whitish halo, follicular keratotic plugs and telangiectasias were the most common dermoscopic criteria. Statistical analysis revealed excellent correlation between dermoscopic and histopathological findings. Notably, a time-related alteration of dermoscopic features was observed.The present study provides new insights into the dermoscopic variability of DLE located on the face, trunk and extremities.

Despite the high frequency of intradermal facial nevi in adults, the development of lentigo maligna (LM) within a preexisting nevus is considered exceptionally rare. Herein we describe an emblematic case of nevus associated facial LM and discuss whether such "collision" is coincidental or a consequence of malignant transformation.

Background Dermoscopy improves melanoma recognition, but most criteria were described in the context of superficial spreading melanoma. Objectives To test whether pigmented nodular melanoma could be recognized dermoscopically by the presence of a combination of blue and black colour within the lesion. Methods Dermoscopic images of histopathologically diagnosed pigmented nodular tumours with no (or only minimal) flat component were evaluated for the presence of standard melanoma criteria and for the presence of a new feature named blue-black (BB) colour. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for standard criteria and BB feature in relation to the diagnosis of melanoma and to diagnosis of malignancy. Results Of 283 lesions, 160 were malignant, including 78 (27.6%) melanomas, and 123 were benign. The BB feature and the standard criteria had 78.2% and 43.6% sensitivity for melanoma, respectively, whereas a combined method based on the presence of either the BB feature or one (or more) of the standard criteria reached 84.6% sensitivity, with 80.5% specificity and 93.2% negative predictive value. Sensitivity values for malignant lesions were only 24.4%, 56.9% and 60% for standard criteria, BB feature and the combined method, respectively. However, the combined method gave 91.9% specificity and 90.6% positive predictive value for malignancy. Conclusions Using a method based on the BB feature or one of the standard melanoma criteria, only 9.4% of positive pigmented nodular lesions were found to be benign and only 6.8% of negative lesions were found to be melanoma histopathologically.

Granuloma annulare (GA) and necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) are the most common granulomatous skin diseases (GSD). Although GA usually follows a self-limiting course, it has been reported to occur in association with haematologic neoplasias and solid tumours. 1,2 The aetio- pathogenesis of NL is strongly associated with diabetes mellitus, and nonhealing ulcers and squamous cell carcinoma have been reported to develop occasionally on chronic NL lesions.

Background Little is known about the frequency of clinical and dermoscopic patterns of lentigo maligna (LM) in relation to specific anatomic subsites and patients characteristics. Objective We sought to assess the frequency of clinical and dermoscopic features of LM and to correlate them to specific anatomic subsites, and patients' age and gender. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of clinical and dermoscopic images of a series of consecutive, histopathologically diagnosed, facial and extrafacial LM. Results A total of 201 cases from 200 patients (mean age 69.51 ± 12.26 years) including 120 women were collected. Most cases were located on the face (n = 192, 95.5%). In 102 cases, LM presented as clinically solitary facial macule (s/LM), whereas it was associated with multiple surrounding freckles in the remaining cases. s/LM were significantly smaller ( 10 mm; P = .020) and associated with younger age compared with LM associated with multiple surrounding freckles (mean age 67.73 ± 12.68 years vs 71.34 ± 11.59 years, respectively; P = .036). Dermoscopically, gray color irrespective of a specific pattern was the most prevalent finding seen in 178 (88.6%) cases. Limitations This was a retrospective study. Conclusions The knowledge about patient age, patient gender, and site-related clinical features of LM associated with gray color upon dermoscopy may enhance the clinical recognition of LM.

Little is currently known about the dermoscopic patterns of genital and extragenital lichen sclerosus (LS). In order to evaluate and compare the dermoscopic and histopathologic patterns of genital and extragenital lichen sclerosus, a retrospective analysis of clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic features of genital and extragenital LS, collected between March 2010 and December 2011 at four dermatology clinics in Greece, Italy, Serbia and Uruguay was performed.A total of 29 lesions from 14 (mean age 62.8 years) and 12 (mean age 53.5 years) patients with genital and extragenital LS, respectively were analyzed. Mean duration of disease was 3.5 years for genital and 1.8 years for extragenital LS. White-yellowish structureless areas were seen in all cases of genital and extragenital LS; however linear vessels occurred at higher frequency in genital than in extragenital lesions (85.7% vs. 33.3%, respectively). Extragenital LS revealed two different time-related patterns: keratotic plugs were more prevalent in lesions with short duration (2 years), whereas longer persisting lesions appeared atrophic and revealed fine chrysalis structures.Our morphologic study provides novel insights into the morphologic diversity of LS at different body sites and different stages of progression.

Background: The clinical variability of cutaneous sarcoidosis (CS) often makes its correct diagnosis challenging. Although traditionally employed for the diagnosis of skin tumors, during the past years dermoscopy also gained increasing interest as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious skin manifestations in general dermatology. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of dermoscopy in the differential diagnosis of CS. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 7 clinical and dermoscopic images of CS that were collected at dermatology clinics in France and Italy between 2005 and 2009. Results: Retrospective dermoscopic evaluation revealed small grouped, translucent orange globular structures associated with linear vessels of variable diameter in all 7 cases. In 5 cases, additional central scar-like areas were seen. Conclusion: Lesions showing dermoscopically translucent yellow to orange globular-like or structureless areas associated with linear vessels should raise the suspicion of a granulomatous skin disease, including CS.