Dermoscopic features of nonpigmented eccrine poromas in association with their histopathological features.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nonpigmented eccrine poromas (EPs) occasionally mimic various skin tumours, but their dermoscopic features have not been clarified.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the dermoscopic features of nonpigmented EPs in association with their histopathological features.

METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of the dermoscopic features of 10 histopathologically proven cases of nonpigmented EP at the Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University Hospital (Matsumoto, Japan).

RESULTS:

Specific features in vascular structures were observed in five of 10 nonpigmented EPs. Three cases showed a polymorphous vascular pattern: two cases of a combination of hairpin and dotted vessels, and one case of a combination of hairpin, dotted and linear-irregular vessels. In addition, there were two cases of monomorphous vascular pattern: one case of linear-irregular vessels, and one case of hairpin vessels. We did not observe arborizing, crown or comma vessels. Comedo-like openings, milia-like cysts, cerebriform pattern and ulceration were observed in one case each. Furthermore, nine of 10 cases showed the characteristic feature, described as well-circumscribed reddish globule/lacuna-like structures with separation of mesh bands, which were reminiscent of frog eggs aggregation. This characteristic feature on dermoscopy was explained by the histopathological features of horizontal sections at a depth of 300-400 μm from the surface. Island-shaped oedematous stroma with numerous microvessels, which were surrounded by poroid cells in mesh-like forms, were seen.

CONCLUSIONS:

Vascular structures and 'frog eggs-like appearance' are important features on dermoscopic examination of nonpigmented EP. Further studies are required to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy to differentiate nonpigmented EP from other tumours.

• Authors: A Minagawa, H Koga, M Takahashi, K Sano, R Okuyama
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 163 Issue 6 Pg. 1264-8 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1365-2133 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20825405 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2010 The Authors. BJD © 2010 British Association of Dermatologists.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Vessels (pathology)
• Dermoscopy
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Sweat Gland Neoplasms (blood supply, pathology)