Dermoscopic Features of Seborrheic Keratoses: Observations in 25 Korean Cases / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is in vivo cutaneous surface microscopy at 10~20 X magnification. It has been gaining in popularity in clinical dermatology. The recognition of dermoscopic features of melanoma and other skin lesions including seborrheic keratosis (SK) is valuable for improving clinical diagnostic accuracy and for reducing unnecessary excisions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the dermoscopic features observed in SK, estimate the prevalence of the findings among Korean patients, and compare findings between Koreans and Caucasian peoples. METHODS: A total of twenty five patients with biopsy-proven SK were selected. The dermoscopic features of SK that we investigated have been well described by Braun et al. including 'milia-like cyst' and 'comedo-like opening'. We determined the frequency of each feature. RESULTS: Among the twenty five SK cases, the main dermoscopic features of SK such as 'milia-like cyst' and 'comedo-like opening' were found in about half of cases (52% and 52%, respectively). Additional dermoscopic features and frequencies (in parenthesis) were 'sharp demarcation' (92%), 'fissure' (72%), 'moth-eaten border' (56%), 'hairpin blood vessel' (20%), 'network-like structure' (20%), 'exophytic papillary pattern' (20%), and 'globular pattern' (4%). The frequency of 'hairpin blood vessel' and 'network-like structure' was significantly lower in Koreans than in Caucasians (p<0.05). The small size is a limitation of the study. CONCLUSION: Most dermoscopic features (morphology and frequency) of SK observed in Korean patients (with the relatively rare exception of additional features) are similar to the features reported for Caucasians.