Dermoscopic Features of Acral Palmoplantar Nevi: Age and Site Correlation in a North African Cohort

Palmoplantar nevi (PPN) are common and sometimes difficult to diagnose because of their unusual clinical, dermoscopic, and histological features, often mistaken for acral lentiginous melanoma.

This study aimed to investigate the different dermoscopic patterns of palmoplantar nevi and their correlation with age and location.

This was a retrospective-prospective cohort study of a sample of the Moroccan population collected over 2 years. The diagnosis was based mainly on clinical and dermoscopic evaluation, and a biopsy performed in a single patient.

A total of 140 patients with 144 PPNs were included in this study. PPNs were more frequently located on the palms (64%) than on the soles (36%). The parallel furrow pattern (PFP) was the most frequent in 44% of patients, followed by the lattice pattern (17,4%), then the homogeneous pattern (16.7%), the fibrillar pattern (10,4%), the compound pattern (7%), the globular pattern (2 %), the dotted pattern (2 %), and finally, the atypical pattern (0.7%). We found a correlation between fibrillar and globular patterns with younger patients (P <0.05) lattice pattern with pressure-free regions such as the arch and palmar region. In contrast, the fibrillar pattern was associated with heels and PFP with digital location.

Recognition of these patterns is crucial for accurate diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary excisions.