Development of a two-step method for the diagnosis of melanoma by reflectance confocal microscopy - 07/08/11
, Susana Puig, MD a, c, Cristina Carrera, MD a, Josep Palou, MD a, Josep Malvehy, MD a, c
Reprint requests: Sonia Segura, MD, Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Passeig Marítim 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.Abstract |
Background |
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been shown to improve accuracy in the differentiation of nevus from melanoma, but only a few studies have evaluated both melanocytic lesions (ML) and non-ML.
Objective |
We sought to develop an algorithm for the in vivo diagnosis of skin tumors by RCM.
Methods |
In 143 patients we evaluated 154 skin tumors (100 melanocytic, 54 nonmelanocytic) by RCM before their excision. We analyzed RCM features on stored images and performed univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the association of RCM features with tumor types.
Results |
Four confocal features differentiated ML from non-ML: cobblestone pattern of epidermal layers, pagetoid spread, mesh appearance of the dermoepidermal junction, and the presence of dermal nests. Within ML, the presence of roundish suprabasal cells and atypical nucleated cells in the dermis was associated with melanoma, and the presence of edged papillae and typical basal cells was associated with nevi. Based on the correlation of RCM features with dermatoscopy and histology, we developed a two-step algorithm for the diagnosis of skin tumors by RCM.
Limitations |
This is a preliminary study, and the results must be validated in further studies with a larger number of cases.
Conclusion |
RCM appears to be helpful in improving the presurgical diagnosis of difficult skin tumors.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : basal cell carcinoma, dermatoscopy, melanoma, reflectance confocal microscopy, skin cancer
Abbreviations used : BCC, CPN, DEJ, DP, ML, NML, RCM, SK
Plan
| Supported in part by grants from Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain, and from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Barcelona, Spain. Work of Drs Malvehy and Puig is partially supported by grants 03/0019 and 06/0265 from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias; grant RO-1 CA 83115 (fund 538226 from National Cancer Institute); and GenoMel consortium currently funded by CE, Net of Excellence. |
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| Conflicts of interest: None declared. |
Vol 61 - N° 2
P. 216-229 - août 2009 Retour au numéro
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