title: Polymorphous vascular patterns in dermoscopy as a sign of malignant skin tumors. A case of an amelanotic melanoma and a porocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Using dermoscopy (dermatoscopy, epiluminescence microscopy), malignant skin tumors can be detected earlier and unnecessary excisions of benign tumors can be avoided.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Description of the dermoscopic vascular patterns of an amelanotic melanoma and a porocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dermoscopy of an amelanotic melanoma and a porocarcinoma at 10-fold magnification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On dermoscopy polymorphous vascular patterns with pinpoint and hairpin-like vessels were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reddish tumor without any pigmented network, globules or streaks but with polymorphous vascular patterns must be considered a malignant melanocytic or nonmelanocytic skin tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tùbingen, Germany. a.blum@derma.de
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Metzler
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D002081:Buttocks; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013544:Sweat Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology