Linear irregular vessels
From dermoscopedia
Linear irregular or serpentine vessels are red vascular structures with a range of size, shape, and distribution [1].
Differential diagnosis
Linear irregular vessels can be identified in melanoma, basal cell carcinomas, and dysplastic nevi [2][3]. In one study, 33.3% of melanomas had these vessels, with a PPV of 67.6% [1]. In another study of amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma (AHM), linear–irregular vessels were seen in 10.3% of thin AHM (<1 mm), in 0% of thick AHM (>1mm), and 0% in amelanotic/hypomelanotic benign melanocytic lesions[4]. Thus, similar to dotted vessels, the presence of these vessels suggests that the melanoma is still relatively thin.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Argenziano et al.: Vascular structures in skin tumors: a dermoscopy study. Arch Dermatol 2004;140:1485-9. PMID: 15611426. DOI.
- ↑ Zell et al.: Early diagnosis of multiple primary amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma using dermoscopy. Dermatol Surg 2008;34:1254-7. PMID: 18554289. DOI.
- ↑ Braun et al.: Dermoscopy: what's new?. Clin. Dermatol. 2009;27:26-34. PMID: 19095151. DOI.
- ↑ Pizzichetta et al.: Amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma: clinical and dermoscopic features. Br. J. Dermatol. 2004;150:1117-24. PMID: 15214897. DOI.
