title: Confocal features of equivocal facial lesions on severely sun-damaged skin: four case studies with dermatoscopic, confocal, and histopathologic correlation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facial skin has a distinct histologic architecture and reveals specific dermatoscopic features. Diagnosis of lentigo maligna on the face is often challenging because of the overlap of clinical and morphologic features with other lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aim to show the value of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for facial lesions and to increase knowledge of RCM morphologic features among the scientific community.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a series of 4 facial lesions on severely sun-damaged skin that was evaluated via RCM immediately after face-to-face examination, followed by shave biopsy for histopathological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lesions included a lentigo maligna, a pigmented seborrheic keratosis, pigmented basal cell carcinoma, and a pigmented actinic keratosis. In the presented cases, RCM enabled an accurate diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study describes morphologic features on selected cases, but does not test accuracy of RCM criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RCM is a useful adjuvant for the accurate and precise diagnosis of equivocal facial lesions.
authors: Dermatology Research Centre, University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. e.wurm@uq.edu.au
authors: Elisabeth M T
authors: EM
authors: Wurm
authors: Claudia E S
authors: CE
authors: Curchin
authors: Duncan
authors: D
authors: Lambie
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Longo
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Pellacani
authors: H Peter
authors: HP
authors: Soyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000473:pathology; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000473:pathology; D017492:Keratosis, Seborrheic / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects