ABSTRACT

Differential diagnosis of vulvar pigmented lesions includes many benign lesions as well as malignant neoplasias such as melanoma. However, there is a limited data about dermatoscopic features of vulvar pigmented lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and dermatoscopic features of vulvar pigmented lesions.

Thirty-eight female patients with histopathologically proven vulvar pigmented lesions were included in this study. Clinical and dermatoscopic features of the lesions were recorded.

A total of 40 different pigmented lesions were detected in 38 patients. Of the pigmented lesions, 5 (12.5%) were melanocytic lesions, 22 (55.0%) were epidermal hyperpigmentations, and 13 (32.5%) were nonmelanocytic pigmented lesions. The most frequent dermatoscopic feature was parallel pattern in epidermal hyperpigmentation and globular pattern in nevus and angiokeratoma. Globular pattern, reticular-like pattern and paving stone pattern were observed in nevuses. Parallel pattern, streaks and ring-like pattern were only present in epidermal hyperpigmentations. Cerebriform and exophytic structures were only observed in non-melanocytic lesions.

Dermatoscopy may provide helpful clues in distinguishing benign vulvar pigmented lesions from malignant lesions, also in determining the type of the pigmentation. Dermatoscopic features of vulvar pigmented lesions should be known to establish the diagnosis and to determine the appropriate treatment approach.