title: In vivo confocal microscopy for detection and grading of dysplastic nevi: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dysplastic nevi are thought to be precursors of melanoma during a stepwise process. However, this concept is still controversial and precise correlation between clinical and histopathologic features is lacking. In vivo confocal microscopy represents a noninvasive imaging technique producing horizontal sections at nearly histopathologic resolution.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine whether specific histologic features in dysplastic nevi have reliable correlates on confocal microscopy and to develop an in vivo microscopic grading system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty melanocytic lesions with equivocal dermatoscopic aspects, corresponding to 19 nondysplastic nevi, 27 dysplastic nevi, and 14 melanomas, were analyzed by confocal microscopy and histopathology, using the Duke grading criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All architectural and cytologic features of the Duke grading score had significant reflectance confocal microscopy correlates. Confocally, dysplastic nevi were characterized by a ringed pattern, in association with a meshwork pattern in a large proportion of cases, along with atypical junctional cells in the center of the lesion, and irregular junctional nests with short interconnections. A simplified algorithm was developed to distinguish dysplastic nevi from melanoma and nondysplastic nevi. The contemporary presence of cytologic atypia and of atypical junctional nests (irregular, with short interconnections, and/or with nonhomogeneous cellularity) was suggestive of histologic dysplasia, whereas a widespread pagetoid infiltration, widespread cytologic atypia at the junction, and nonedged papillae suggested melanoma diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A small number of cases were evaluated because of the necessity to analyze numerous histopathologic and confocal features.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possibility to detect dysplastic nevi in vivo may lead to an appropriate management decision.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. pellacani.giovanni@unimore.it
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Pellacani
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Farnetani
authors: Salvador
authors: S
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Longo
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Cesinaro
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Casari
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Beretti
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Seidenari
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Gill
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003880:Dermatology / Q000295:instrumentation; D004416:Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D060787:Neoplasm Grading / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*