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Dermoscopy Patterns of Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus
Iris Zalaudek, MD;
Gerardo Ferrara, MD;
Paolo Broganelli, MD;
Elvira Moscarella, MD;
Ines Mordente, MD;
Jason Giacomel, MD;
Giuseppe Argenziano, MD
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:1318-1322.
Background Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus (FeP) is a rare variant of basal cell carcinoma that may clinically mimic a number of benign skin tumors. While the dermoscopic features of basal cell carcinoma have been studied extensively, little is known about the dermoscopic features of FeP.
Observations Retrospective evaluation of clinical records and digital clinical dermoscopic images of 10 histopathologically proved FePs (6 nonpigmented and 4 pigmented) was performed. Clinically, no FeP was correctly identified and, in half of all patients, a clinical differential diagnosis of purely benign skin lesions was made. Dermoscopy enabled the correct diagnosis in 9 of 10 FePs, based on the presence of fine arborizing vessels, either alone or associated with dotted vessels, and white streaks (in 100%, 70%, and 90% of lesions, respectively). In the 4 pigmented FePs, a structureless gray-brown area of pigmentation and variable numbers of gray-blue dots were observed, in addition.
Conclusions Dermoscopy is helpful in diagnosing FeP and in differentiating this variant of basal cell carcinoma from other benign skin tumors commonly included in the clinical differential diagnosis. This presumes, however, that dermoscopy is used as a first-line examination for all skin lesions, not only for those that are clinically suspect.
Author Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria (Dr Zalaudek); Pathologic Anatomy Service, Gaetano Rummo General Hospital, Benevento, Italy (Dr Ferrara); Department of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy (Dr Broganelli); Department of Dermatology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy (Drs Moscarella, Mordente, and Argenziano); and Mends Street Medical Centre, South Perth, Western Australia (Dr Giacomel). Dr Zalaudek is now with the Department of Dermatology, Second University of Naples.
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