Reticulin impregnation in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma

Reticulin patterns were examined in 25 consecutive malignant melanomas, 25 benign cellular naevi and 10 Spitz (benign juvenile) naevi. Absolute features were that a completely intact basement membrane was a strong indicator of benignity and that pericellular reticulin was evidence of subsequent benign behaviour. In routine circumstances however, the stain was of little diagnostic use, as the borderline cases on haematoxylin and eosin staining were not made any easier to categorize by reticulin stain.