title: Differential diagnosis of the conjunctival melanoses.
abstract: The conjunctival melanoses are a group of diseases that share the common clinical findings of flat granular melanin-pigmentation of the conjunctival epithelium. Because differential diagnosis of these lesions is difficult, there is much confusion in the literature regarding taxonomy of these lesions. A histopathologic classification of benign melanosis; primary acquired melanosis with atypia, and primary acquired melanosis with melanoma is proposed. Benign melanosis should be divided based on clinical findings into complexion-associated melanosis, secondary melanosis, ephelis, and primary acquired melanosis without atypia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmic Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: McLean
mesh_terms: D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008548:Melanosis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*