title: Cutaneous endometriosis: non-invasive analysis by epiluminescence microscopy.
abstract: The clinical appearance of cutaneous endometriosis can share some features with malignant melanoma, thus representing a possible cause for concern in both patient and clinician. In recent years, the use of epiluminescence microscopy (ELM, dermoscopy) has proved useful in improving the accuracy of diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions. The purpose of this study was to analyse the dermoscopic features of cutaneous endometriosis with histopathological correlation. We studied a case which showed homogeneous reddish pigmentation, regularly distributed. Within this typical pigmentation there were small red globular structures, but more defined and of a deeper hue, which we called 'red atolls'. ELM thus revealed a distinctive pattern in cutaneous endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. vdegi@tin.it
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Giorgi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Massi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mannone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stante
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000473:pathology