title: Dermoscopic features of small size pigmented basal cell carcinomas.
abstract: Dermoscopic images of histologically proven pigmented basal cell carcinomas (BCC) were retrospectively assessed to compare the dermoscopic features of BCC of 3 mm or less in diameter (n = 6) with BCC of 4-6 mm in diameter (n = 11). All lesions lacked the presence of a pigment network. BCC with a diameter of 3 mm or less had fewer positive dermoscopic features compared with the 4-6 mm in diameter BCC. Multiple blue-gray globules and large blue-gray ovoid nests were frequently present. Dermoscopy is a useful tool for early diagnosis of pigmented BCC, even when they are small.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Asuka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Miwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toyoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ochiai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D046169:Dermoscopy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation
keywords: 3 mm or less; dermoscopy; early diagnosis; pigmented basal cell carcinoma; small size