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Utilization of polarized microscopy to differentiate deep penetrating nevus from equine type melanomas
Author(s) -
Cleaver Nathan,
Parikh Kruti,
Kazlouskaya Viktoryia,
Elston Dirk
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/cup.12669
Subject(s) - pathology , melanoma , nevus , melanocytic nevus , lesion , medicine , polarization microscopy , microscopy , dermatology , biology , cancer research
Equine type melanoma can mimic deep penetrating nevus ( DPN ), making histologic diagnosis challenging. We sought to investigate if the pattern of collagen polarization could be helpful in this setting. A total of 52 specimens were reviewed with polarized microscopy to determine whether refractile collagen was present within melanocytic nests vs. surrounding but not within the nests. Seven of eight (87.5%) equine type melanomas demonstrated refractile collagen within melanocytic nests in part or all of the lesion. In contrast, DPN showed no refractile collagen within the melanocytic nests. Instead, 12 (100%) DPNs and 14 of 16 (87.5%) common combined nevi ( DPN plus banal nevus) demonstrated refractile collagen only surrounding melanocytic nests. The entrapment of refractile collagen, as seen with polarized microscopy, within melanocytic nests can support a diagnosis of equine type melanoma.