Multiple aggregated yellow-white globules are a major dermoscopic sign of basal cell carcinoma regardless of their histological subtype

Abstract

Multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules) have been recently described as dermoscopic structures of high specificity associated with high-risk non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC). To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MAY globules in a cohort of pigmented and non-pigmented BCC of all histological types. This was a retrospective case-control study. Dermoscopic and clinical images were all histopathologically confirmed as BCCs of patients seen consecutively at dermatology consultation. Control cases were benign or malignant tumours randomly selected from the database of 8,250 patients. A total of 389 BCCs were included. MAY globules were present in 192 (49%) cases in the BCC group and in only 25 cases in the control group (6,4%). The odds ratio for the diagnosis of BCC was 14.2 (95% CI: 9.62-20.95]). The presence of MAY globules was significant in three histological subtypes, including superficial BCCs. This study shows that MAY globules are a major dermoscopic sign for the diagnosis of BCC, regardless of their histological subtype and their pigmentation.

Keywords: basal cell carcinoma (BCC); multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules); non-pigmented; pigmented.