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Description In this chapter we describe blue white structures network and its histopathological correlation
Author(s) Ralph P. Braun · Katrin Kerl · Oriol Yélamos
Responsible author Ralph Braun→ send e-mail
Status unknown
Status update May 21, 2019
Status by Ralph P. Braun


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Blue-white veil is confluent blue pigmentation with an overlying white “ground-glass” haze. In melanoma, the bluewhite veil does not occupy the entire surface area of the lesion, but rather is present as a focal, ill-defined area. Histopathologically, this dermoscopic structure corresponds to an aggregation of heavily pigmented cells (melanocytes and/or melanophages) or melanin in the dermis (blue color) in combination with compact orthokeratosis [1] [2]. At times, it is difficult to distinguish between regression structures (namely melanosis) and blue-white veil by dermoscopy because both structures display blue-white color. However, examining the lesion without dermoscopy can help differentiate between blue-white color due to regression versus due to deep melanocytes. In regression the surface contour will be flat (macular) and in blue-white veil the surface will be raised and palpable. In melanoma the blue-white veil is nonuniform in color and is present focally within the lesion. In contrast, the blue-white veil has a uniform steel-blue color in blue nevi and it occupies the entire surface area of the lesion.


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  1. Massi et al.: Diagnostic significance of the blue hue in dermoscopy of melanocytic lesions: a dermoscopic-pathologic study. Am J Dermatopathol 2001;23:463-9. PMID: 11801781.
  2. Massi et al.: Histopathologic correlates of dermoscopic criteria. Dermatol Clin 2001;19:259-68, vii. PMID: 11556235.
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