Dermatoscopic shiny white structures in benign cutaneous tumours.

Abstract

The dermatoscopic characteristics of shiny white structures (SWS) in malignant skin tumours are well described, but data on benign skin neoplasms are scarce. To evaluate the dermatoscopic features of SWS in common benign tumours, we reviewed our database for histopathologically confirmed cases. Dermatoscopic images were evaluated for the presence of any type of SWS. Images with SWS were further analysed for their quantity, distribution and shape. Of 2420 evaluated benign tumours, 357 (14.8%) displayed SWS. The highest frequencies were observed in pyogenic granuloma (n = 62/100; 62%), angioma (n = 63/113; 55.8%) and adnexal tumours (n = 42/84; 50%). The lowest frequency was found in common naevi (n = 16/1032; 1.6%) and solar lentigo (n = 0). The presence of SWS was not associated with sex or anatomical location. SWS were usually diffuse and multiple. SWS may be present in a broad spectrum of benign tumours and therefore they should not be considered as de facto indicators of malignancy.