Dermoscopy of verrucous epidermal nevus: large brown circles as a novel feature for diagnosis

Abstract

Background: The epidermal nevus is a hamartomatous proliferation of the epithelium that can involve keratinocytes, sebaceous glands, the pilosebaceous unit, and eccrine or apocrine glands. It occurs in one in 1000 live births and most commonly presents as the verrucous type. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique commonly used to differentiate between melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions.

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze dermoscopic aspects of verrucous epidermal nevi, which have not previously been described.

Methods: Dermoscopic analyses of eight different verrucous epidermal nevi were conducted. Each lesion was excised, and its diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed.

Results: In non-melanocytic lesions, a new dermoscopic feature of large brown circles was observed. This characteristic is useful in the diagnosis of verrucous epidermal nevi.

Conclusions: Large brown circles represent a specific dermoscopic feature for the diagnosis of verrucous epidermal nevus.