title: In vivo confocal imaging of pigmented eccrine poroma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy (CM) imaging is a noninvasive technique that can be utilized to evaluate histologic features of cutaneous lesions in vivo.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A case of pigmented eccrine poroma was examined with CM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Confocal images were taken to define the features of the lesion and correlated with transverse hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In CM imaging, a well-demarcated homogeneous nest consisting of small uniform cells was seen. The nest contained nonrefractile dark spaces that may represent cuticuli. Many dendritic melanocytes containing melanin were intermingled with the tumor cells, and numerous melanophages were present in the upper dermis. A marked prominence of surrounding vessels was also demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CM could well demonstrate the features of a pigmented eccrine poroma, as correlated with transverse HE-stained sections. However, high reflectance signals from melanin had to be carefully considered before a definitive diagnosis could be made.
authors.affiliation: Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., USA.
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tachihara
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Richard G B
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: R Rox
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D018250:Acrospiroma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002610:Cheek; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013544:Sweat Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome