title: Paradigmatic cases of pigmented lesions: How to not miss melanoma.
abstract: A large number of cases of melanoma exhibit clinical and dermoscopic clues leading to the correct diagnosis; however, sometimes melanoma can mimic benign melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions. We present a small series of melanomas in which additional clues provided by confocal microscopy increased the index of suspicion and prompted us to perform an excisional biopsy. Practical rules that are useful in difficult-to-diagnose melanomas are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farnetani
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scope
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Coco
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cesinaro
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piana
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ketty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peris
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pellacani
authors.affiliation: Skin Cancer Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D046169:Dermoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation
keywords: confocal microscopy; dermoscopy; diagnostic tools; melanoma; practical rules