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Proposal for a clinical–dermoscopic classification of scalp naevi
Author(s) -
Zalaudek I.,
Schmid K.,
Niederkorn A.,
FinkPuches R.,
Richtig E.,
Wolf I.,
HofmannWellenhof R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12722
Subject(s) - scalp , medicine , dermatology , demographics , melanoma , epidemiology , pathology , demography , cancer research , sociology
Summary Background Recent research suggests that scalp naevi differ with respect to their epidemiology, patient characteristics and morphological patterns, but currently a classification of scalp naevi is lacking. Objectives To investigate the prevalence, together with clinical and dermoscopic features, of scalp naevi detected in persons attending a skin cancer screening programme, and to elaborate a classification of scalp naevi based on their most common morphological patterns. Methods Participants were recruited during the melanoma prevention programme ‘sun watch’ of Austrian Cancer Aid in Styria. Each participant received a clinical and dermoscopic total‐body skin examination including the scalp. For each participant, demographics and clinical characteristics including number of scalp naevi were recorded. Clinical and dermoscopic photographs of at least one scalp naevus per participant were taken and evaluated for specific clinical and dermoscopic features. Results In total 867 subjects, including 119 participants (13·7%) with scalp naevi, participated in the study. Compared with those without scalp naevi, subjects with scalp naevi were significantly younger, were more often men and more often exhibited congenital naevi on the body ( P < 0·01 for all). Analysis of the clinical and dermoscopic variability of scalp naevi allowed for a proposal to classify scalp naevi into six main groups, namely common, papillomatous, eclipse, congenital, blue and atypical naevus. Conclusions Scalp naevi can be classified into six morphological groups; scalp lesions deviating from these six main patterns should be carefully managed to rule out melanoma.