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Trichoblastoma: is a clinical or dermoscopic diagnosis possible?
G Ghigliotti1, E De Col2, A Parodi2
1I.R.C.C.S. A.O.U. San Martino-IST, Di.S.Sal, Sezione di Dermatologia, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. g.ghigliotti@libero.it.
Background:
Trichoblastoma is a rare benign skin tumour that must be differentiated from basal cell carcinoma for its benign course and favourable outcome.
Objectives:
To describe clinical and dermoscopic features of solitary primitive trichoblastoma and to compare them with trichoblastic basal cell carcinoma (tBCC).
Methods:
Digital dermoscopic images of 19 trichoblastoma and 19 tBCC were compared and reviewed by a dermatologist experienced in dermoscopy.
Results:
The most striking dermoscopic difference between trichoblastoma and tBCC was the presence of blue-grey globules and blue-grey ovoid nests that were found to be more frequent but not exclusive of tBCC. Arborizing vessels were found both in trichoblastoma and tBCC, with a lower frequency in the latter.
Conclusion:
Histology remains the gold standard to differentiate trichoblastoma from tBCC.
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